EXETER, CA - California Citrus Mutual has issued a statement applauding a recent win for the citrus sector. Under the authority of Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act Amendment of 1935, the United States Department of Agriculture announced it will purchase up to $20 million of fresh Mandarins and tangerines for distribution to food banks, schools, and other non-conventional markets.

“Section 32 is an important procurement program that supports America’s farmers and provides domestic products to communities and schools,” California Citrus Mutual President Casey Creamer said in a recent statement.

As explained in a press release, the purpose of Section 32 is to encourage domestic consumption of U.S. food products by diverting them from conventional market channels.

“Twenty years ago, Mandarins trailed all varieties of fresh citrus in per capita U.S. consumption. By 2025, however, it is anticipated that Mandarins will overtake oranges as the most-consumed fresh citrus in the U.S.,” Creamer continued. “USDA’s domestic nutrition programs should reflect this significant shift in citrus consumption by ensuring Mandarins are made available to schools and food banks. This Section 32 purchase is an excellent first step to introducing Mandarins to other procurement and food distribution programs in the future.”

In addition, the USDA also announced that it will purchase up to $20 million in oranges and $10 million in grapefruit as well.

“California Citrus Mutual applauds the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service for their efforts to bring American-grown Mandarins and other citrus products to all consumers,” concluded Creamer.

For more information regarding the purchases, including the official solicitations and procurement specifications, click here.

What further growth will we witness in the ever-evolving citrus sector? AndNowUKnow will surely be here to report.

California Citrus Mutual