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.
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.
March 25, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking more suppliers of U.S. canned tuna and frozen walleye fillets.
In a notice, the agency said it is looking for feedback from companies that can supply 100 percent domestic tuna in 12-ounce and 66.5-ounce cans, as well as Kosher canned tuna in 66.5-ounce cans.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
November 22, 2024 — Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based Trident Seafoods won the majority of new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) contracts to supply Alaska wild pollock.
Trident will supply USD 1.6 million (EUR 1.5 million) worth of pollock out of a total USD 2.05 million (EUR 2 million) worth of contracts, while Channel Fish Processing in Braintree, Massachusetts, U.S.A., will supply around USD 448,000 (EUR 423,000) in pollock.
November 19, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has updated its guidance for purchasing salmon products, incorporating new requirements from NOAA Fisheries’ Seafood Inspection Program as well as other changes.
The updates were issued through the department’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Supplement 507 document, which outlines the government’s requirements for purchasing salmon products for the country’s National School Lunch Program and other federal nutrition programs. AMS posted its Final Supplement 507 for salmon products 7 November, replacing the previous documentation issued in 2021.
November 1, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking 270,000 pounds of domestically farmed catfish that it aims to put toward domestic food programs.
Interested companies must submit bids to participate by 5 November, and winning suppliers will make deliveries between January and June 2025.