Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven, who leads the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and serves as a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, responded to an announcement from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins regarding new food purchases by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA plans to buy up to $230 million in food products, with $50 million allocated specifically for dry beans, aimed at supporting communities facing food insecurity.

Hoeven has previously communicated to the USDA about the significance of these purchases, emphasizing dry beans in particular during a recent discussion with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden.

“These local food purchases are a win-win situation, providing another market for our hard-working producers while filling food banks and other local organizations that help with nutrition assistance,” said Hoeven. “We appreciate Secretary Rollins, Deputy Secretary Vaden and the Trump administration for helping to get these U.S.-grown products, like dry beans, onto the plates of those in need.”

The initiative is intended both to assist agricultural producers by expanding markets for their goods and to supply food banks and organizations involved in nutrition assistance programs.