Saving Seafood

USDA buys $16M of Oregon shrimp as fleet faces setbacks

June 4, 2025 — The Oregon pink shrimp industry is getting a much-needed boost from the federal government this spring after another round of international trade disruptions threatened to sideline the start of the 2025 season.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will purchase $16 million worth of Oregon pink shrimp through a program aimed at stabilizing domestic food producers during economic hardship, according to an article by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB).

The federal buy comes after processors along the Oregon Coast opted to delay the start of the Pacific pink shrimp season in early April, pushing back operations by at least two weeks due to ongoing uncertainty in overseas markets.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

USDA to buy USD 20 million worth of Atlantic groundfish

May 28, 2025 —  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled plans to buy USD 20 million (EUR 17.7 million) worth of Atlantic groundfish as part of a bulk purchase of fresh food to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs.

“These purchases deliver healthy, nutritious, American commodities to individuals and families in need. At a time when President Trump and his cabinet are Making America Healthy Again, USDA is proud to play a role in supporting those in need by providing access to the safest and highest-quality fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood in the world,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said in a statement.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

USDA awards USD 2.3 million in pollock contracts, seeks more bids on pollock, salmon

May 12, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded USD 2.3 million (EUR 2 million) in contracts for Alaska pollock, while asking for additional bids on contracts to provide millions of dollars’ worth of pollock and salmon.

The USDA awarded two contracts for 1,026,000 pounds of Alaska pollock products, with the largest, worth USD 1.45 million (EUR 1.3 million), going to Braintree, Massachusetts, U.S.A.-based Channel Fish. Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based Trident Seafoods was awarded USD 829,996 (EUR 739,000) to supply frozen pollock sticks and nuggets.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

US federal funding cuts eliminating traditionally steady purchases of seafood

April 9, 2025 — Massive funding cuts that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has made to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Program are cutting off traditionally reliable buyers of the nation’s seafood.

The LFPA cuts amount to an estimated USD 1.13 billion (EUR 1 billion) and are hampering the ability of food banks across the nation to feed local populations with safe, fresh food options, including local seafood.

Read the full article at SeadfoodSource

Bids due 7 April for USD 50 million USDA pollock contract

March 31, 2025 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is asking for bids on Alaska pollock for domestic food distribution programs as part of up to USD 50 million (EUR 46 million) the agency said it would spend on the fish.

Suppliers that want to bid on the contracts for 1 million pounds of pollock fillets, nuggets, and sticks must submit bids by 7 April 2025. Deliveries will be made between 16 May and 31 July 2025.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

USDA buys over USD 100 million in domestic pollock, catfish, shrimp

March 8, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded nearly USD 47.5 million (EUR 43.8 million) worth of Alaska pollock contracts to seafood processors Trident Seafoods and Channel Fish Processing.

Additionally, the agency has awarded USD 29.3 million (EUR 27 million) in domestic catfish contracts destined for federal nutrition programs and USD 24.7 million (EUR 22.8 million) to several Louisiana-based seafood processors to supply U.S. shrimp.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

USDA sends out second-largest pollock bid invitation ever; offers due by late February

February 18, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is asking seafood suppliers to bid on significant quantities of domestic pollock, shrimp, and catfish.

The agency is asking for bids on more than 21 million pounds of Alaska pollock fillets, nuggets, and sticks for household food distribution through food banks. Offers are due by 27 February for deliveries that will be made between April and June 2025.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

USDA to purchase USD 50 million worth of Alaska pollock

January 21, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to purchase USD 50 million (EUR 48 million) worth of Alaska pollock in 2025 in support of the federal government’s food bank and nutrition programs.

“We all appreciate the quick response by USDA to address the needs of the seafood industry and, at the same time, food-insecure Americans by committing to purchase what may be more than 15 million pounds of wild Alaska pollock products,” Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) Global Food Aid Director Bruce Schactler said in a statement. “These nutritious seafood products, which may include fillet portions, fish sticks, and nuggets, will strengthen the nutrition profile of USDA offerings as recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans while at the same time helping to address the extreme market challenges that are so present and causing so much disruption across the entire Alaska seafood industry.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

ALASKA: USDA purchases $50M in Alaska pollock, aiding fisheries and food banks

January 10, 2025 — Good news for Alaska’s seafood industry and for food-insecure Americans across the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a major purchase of Alaska pollock, benefiting both communities in need and the state’s struggling fisheries.

The USDA plans to purchase up to $50 million worth of Alaska pollock. This initiative will provide high-quality, sustainable seafood to food banks and aid organizations nationwide, offering a vital source of nutrition to those in need.

Read the full article at Your Alaska Link