Food Safety Comment Period Ending

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The American School Food Service Association (ASFSA) and the American Commodity Distribution Association (ACDA) jointly submitted a letter to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) in January, recognizing the safety of irradiation. ASFSA notes that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined the process to be safe. Also, irradiation is recognized as safe and effective by the United Nations World Health Organization. The process is used in 37 countries and endorsed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, American Medical Association and other agencies. ASFSA points out that school districts have the right to refuse irradiated meat and, furthermore, that irradiated meat products must be labeled.

BEEF PROGRAM ENDS

USDA has purchased 2.2 million lbs. of frozen ground beef, for shipment April 16-30. This buy completes the frozen ground beef program. However, bidders are encouraged to retain documents in the event of additional product needs for this school year. The final buy of the program includes 2 million lbs. of fine-ground and 190,000 lbs. of vegetable protein product (VPP).

Cumulative purchases since program inception June 20, 2002, include: 56 million lbs. of reprocessing beef; 57.8 million lbs. of fine-ground; 6.2 million lbs. of VPP; 4.2 million lbs. of 100% patties; 1.8 million lbs. of lean patties; and 5 million lbs. of fine-ground (1-lb.). All told, these quantities represent 132 million lbs. of beef purchases at a cumulative cost of $163.8 million.

FROZEN PORK

USDA's last program buy of frozen pork picnics, amounting to 360,180 lbs., has been shipped. Cumulative purchases since program inception June 25, 2002, include 11.8 million lbs. of boneless pork picnics and 6.6 million lbs. of pork leg roasts, for a total of 18.4 million lbs. of frozen pork at a cost of $13.7 million.

FROZEN HAM

USDA has purchased 684,000 lbs. of frozen 3-lb. hams, for delivery May 1-31. This completes frozen ham buys. Cumulative purchases since program inception July 2, 2002, include 11 million lbs. of 10-lb. hams, frozen; 252,000 lbs. of 10-lb. hams, chilled; and 6.4 million lbs. of 3-lb. hams, frozen. Total buys amount to 17.6 million lbs. of ham at a cost of $21.1 million.

FROZEN COOKED PORK

USDA has purchased 1.1 mil. lbs. of its new frozen cooked pork products in 5-, 8- and 10-lb. packs, for shipment April 17-May 15. Buys include 200,000 lbs. of cooked breaded patties and 880,000 lbs. of cooked taco filling.

At FSD presstime, purchases since program inception September 9, 2002, include: 5.1 million lbs. of Sloppy Joe; 6.3 million lbs. of taco filling; and 200,000 lbs. of breaded patties.

CHICKEN/CHICKEN PRODUCT

USDA has purchased 3.4 million lbs. of chicken and chicken products, for delivery April 16-30. This program is nearing an end. The latest buys include: 624,000 lbs. of batter/breaded chicken; 360,000 lbs. of chilled bulk pack (small); 2.3 million lbs. of chilled bulk pack (large); and 36,000 lbs. of chilled bulk pack (drumsticks). At FSD presstime, cumulative purchases since program inception May 13, 2002, include: 17 million lbs. of cut-up chicken; 10.3 million lbs. of batter/breaded chicken; 12.5 million lbs. of chilled bulk pack (small); 80.4 million lbs. of chilled bulk pack (large); 612,000 lbs. of chilled bulk pack (thighs); and 540,000 lbs. of chilled bulk pack (drumsticks).

USDA currently is out for batter/breaded chicken and chilled bulk (small, large and parts) for delivery May 1-15.

DICED CHICKEN PROGRAM ENDS USDA's last program purchase of frozen cooked diced chicken, amounting to 1.2 million lbs., has been shipped. Cumulative purchases since program inception June 20, 2002, include 8.6 million lbs. of diced chicken and 4.8 million lbs. of diced chicken produced from light fowl.

TURKEY/TURKEY PRODUCTS

USDA has completed its turkey and turkey products program with a buy of 252,000 lbs. of bulk pack, delivered April 1-15. Cumulative purchases since program inception May 7, 2002, include: 17.4 million lbs. of bulk pack; 21.6 million lbs. of roasts; and 12.8 million lbs. of hams, as well as 3.6 million lbs. of consumer pack.

DELI-STYLE TURKEY BREAST

USDA's final program purchase of 1.2 million lbs. of deli style turkey breast has been shipped. The concluding buys include 880,000 lbs. of deli-style turkey breast and 280,000 lbs. of deli-style smoked turkey breast. Cumulative purchases since program inception June 7, 2002, include 8.9 million lbs. of deli-style turkey breast and 2.2 million lbs. of deli-style smoked turkey breast.

WHOLE EGGS

USDA has purchased 440,000 lbs. of whole eggs—to be produced from about 11,000 cases of shell eggs—for delivery April 16-30. Packaging: 5-lb. cartons. This concludes the whole eggs program. Cumulative purchases since program inception May 7, 2002, include: 277,000 lbs. of 30-lb. cartons; 12.2 million lbs. of 5-lb. cartons; and 5.8 million lbs. of bulk tankers.

RASPBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES, PUREE

USDA has announced planned purchases of 2.55 million lbs. of IQF raspberries, IQF blackberries and frozen seedless red raspberry puree, for donation to child nutrition and other programs.

TOMATO PRODUCTS

USDA has begun deliveries of various canned and drum tomato products, ongoing through June 30. Buys include: 10,032 cases or 383,724 lbs. of 6/10 tomatoes; 432 cases or 231,120 lbs. of tomato paste in 55-gal. drums; 32,832 cases or 1.4 million lbs. of 6/10 tomato paste; 48,336 cases or 1.8 million lbs. of 6/10 diced tomatoes; 86,640 cases or 3.4 million lbs. of 6/10 salsa; 46,512 cases or 1.8 million lbs. of 6/10 tomato sauce; and 91,392 cases or 3.6 million lbs. of 6/10 tomato sauce.

CANNED CORN

USDA has purchased 76,608 cases or 3 million lbs. of 6/10 corn, liquid, for delivery April 1-June 30.

CANNED GREEN BEANS

USDA has started deliveries of 6/10 green beans, ongoing through June 30. The buy includes 269.952 cases or 10.3 million lbs.

RAISINS

USDA has delivered a buy of 2,964 cases or 35,568 lbs. of raisins to child nutrition and other programs. Packaging: 144/1.33-oz. boxes.

MILK PRICES

Class l milk prices dropped from $10.23 per hundredweight in February to $9.81 in March. This translates to a drop of 22¢, or a little less than a quarter of a cent, per half-pint.