'Bountiful' pear crop prompts buys

FAJITA STRIP LAUNCH 

USDA has announced plans to purchase chicken fajita strips for school lunch and other programs. One of USDA's newest products, the fajita strips are made from frozen, fully cooked dark chicken produced from ready-to-cook boneless, skinless drumsticks, thighs and/or legs. Deliveries will be made in accordance with notices-to-deliver.

CHICKEN NUGGETS AND PATTIES

USDA has announced it is set to purchase chicken nuggets and patties for school lunch and other programs. Offers were to be solicited at FSD presstime for deliveries in accordance with the notice-to-deliver. Products sought are frozen cooked breaded chicken nuggets and patties, produced from ready-to-cook chicken and chicken parts, or boneless parts, meat and skin.

DELI-STYLE TURKEY BREAST

USDA has announced its frozen, fully cooked, deli-style turkey breast and smoked turkey breast launch for the new school year. The deli-style products are made from non-basted, young ready-to-cook chunked and formed turkey breast meat. First deliveries are targeted for September 1-15.

TURKEY AND TURKEY PRODUCTS

USDA has purchased 3.3 million lbs. of turkey and turkey products for school lunch and other programs, for delivery August 16-31. Buys include: 2 million lbs. of bulk pack, 880,000 lbs. of hams and 418,000 lbs. of consumer pack.

BEEF BUYS

USDA has purchased 840,000 lbs. of frozen ground beef for shipment August 16-31. Buys include: 10.7 million lbs. of reprocessing beef; 4.1 million lbs. of fine-ground; 646,000 lbs. of VPP patties; 114,000 lbs. of 100% patties; 38,000 lbs. of lean patties; and 1.6 million lbs. of fine ground (1-lb.). At FSD presstime, purchases since program inception June 16, 2003, include: 10.7 million lbs. of reprocessing beef; 4.1 million lbs. of fine-ground; 646,000 lbs. of VPP patties; 114,000 lbs. of 100% patties; 38,000 lbs. of lean patties; and 1.6 million lbs. of fine ground (1-lb.).

BONELESS PORK PRODUCTS

USDA has rejected offers for boneless pork picnics because of price, after announcing the start of its frozen boneless pork products program for school lunch and other recipients. New offers are being solicited for shipment August 16-September 15. At FSD presstime, USDA had not received an offer for pork leg roasts.

FROZEN HAMS

USDA has purchased 1.3 million lbs. of frozen 10-lb. hams for delivery September 1-15.

WHOLE EGGS

USDA has purchased 2.2 million lbs. of whole eggs—to be produced from about 54,000 cases of shell eggs—for school lunch and other recipients. Deliveries: August 16-31. Buys include: 40,000 lbs. of 30-lb. containers; 1.2 million lbs. of 5-lb. containers; and 960,000 bulk tankers. Cumulative purchases since program inception May 12, 2003, include: 40,000 lbs. of 30-lb. containers; 2.6 million lbs. of 5-lb. cartons; and 2.5 million lbs. in bulk tankers.

CHICKEN AND CHICKEN PRODUCTS

USDA has purchased 6.3 million lbs. of chicken and chicken products for school lunch and other programs, for delivery August 16-31. Buys include: 1.4 million lbs. of cut-up chicken; 585,000 lbs. of batter/breaded chicken; 1 million lbs. of chilled bulk pack (small); 3.1 million lbs. of chilled bulk pack (large); 144,000 lbs. of chilled bulk pack (thighs); and 144,000 lbs. of chilled bulk pack (drums). At FSD presstime, purchases since program inception May 7, 2003, include: 2.6 million lbs. of cut-up chicken; 2 million lbs. of batter/breaded chicken; 3.5 million lbs. of chilled bulk pack (small); 15.7 million lbs. of chilled bulk pack (large); 144,000 lbs. of chilled bulk pack (thighs); and 144,000 lbs. of chilled bulk pack (drums).

DRIED PITTED PLUMS

USDA has purchased 135,000 cases or 3.2 million lbs. of dried pitted plums, 24/1-lb., for needy families, child nutrition and other programs. Deliveries: August 1-October 21.

FRESH APPLES

USDA is out to buy 75,768 cases of fresh apples in 27/40-lb. cartons, for deliveries September 15, 2003-March 31, 2004.

CANNED APPLES

USDA is out to buy the following 6/10 canned products: 134,976 cases of apple slices and 342,000 cases of applesauce.

TOMATO PRODUCTS

USDA has purchased the following 6/10 canned products: 18,240 cases or 697,680 lbs. of tomatoes, 93,936 cases or 3.6 million lbs. of diced tomatoes, 116,736 cases of salsa; 76,608 cases or 3 million lbs. of tomato sauce; and 62,016 cases or 2.6 million lbs. of tomato paste. Deliveries: August 16-December 15. Also, USDA has purchased 3,024 cases or 1.6 million lbs. of tomato paste in drums for delivery during the same period.

TOMATOES FOR PROCESSING

USDA is out for 8.1 million lbs. of fresh tomatoes for processing. Deliveries: August 16-30.

FROZEN POTATOES

USDA has purchased 254,760 cases or 7.6 million lbs. of the following 6/5-lb. products: 254,760 cases or 7.6 million lbs. of potato wedges; 241,560 cases or 7.2 million lbs. of potato oven fries; and 324,720 cases or 9.7 million lbs. of potato rounds. Deliveries: August 16-November 15.

FROZEN PEACHES

USDA is out to buy the following frozen fruit products for delivery September 16-November 15: 9,500 cases or 20-lb. Freestone (sliced) peaches and 96/4.4-oz. cups of Freestone (diced) peaches. USDA is also out for a buy of 30,400 cases of 20-lb. Freestone (sliced) peaches and 137,200 cases of 96/4.4-oz. Freestone (diced) peaches for deliveries November 16, 2003-April 30, 2004.

FROZEN CORN

USDA is out to buy the following frozen corn products for deliveries September 16-November 15: 15,840 cases of 30-lb. frozen corn and 11,880 cases of 96-ear corn on the cob.

FROZEN VEGETABLES

USDA is out to buy the following 30-lb. frozen vegetables for deliveries September 16-November 15: 22,440 cases of peas; 13,200 cases of green beans; and 13,200 cases of carrots.