USDA Issues Section 32 Solicitation for Pecans

Back to January 2024

This Section 32 purchase will open additional channels for the sale and distribution of pecans.

A worker drives a harvester to pick up pecans off the ground during harvest.

An employee at Mason Farms collects pecans during harvest, while the Weber Shandwick team watches. (Photo by Blair Krebs)

Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced today a solicitation for 6.2 million pounds of pecans for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. Purchases will be made under the authority of Section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, to encourage the continued domestic consumption of these products by diverting them from the normal channels of trade and commerce.

In August, the National Pecan Federation (NPF) sent a letter to USDA AMS requesting assistance for the pecan industry through a Section 32 purchase of pecans. The letter cited the myriad issues the U.S. pecan industry has faced over the last few years, including rising input prices, labor shortages, adverse weather, and harmful tariffs that have decreased market prices.

“We are very excited about today’s announcement for a Section 32 purchase of pecans,” stated Larry Don Womack, National Pecan Federation Chairman. “This purchase is extremely positive for our industry and will open additional channels for the sale and distribution of pecans. USDA is committed to enhancing child nutrition and domestic food programs with healthy products, and pecans, which contain “good’ monosaturated fats, protein, fiber, and essential minerals, will be a great addition to these important feeding programs.”

Bids for this solicitation are due no later than February 13, 2024. Acceptances will be announced by midnight on February 20, 2024. Deliveries are to be made between April 15 through August 31, 2024. The specialist for this solicitation is Samantha Klagenberg, samantha.klagenberg@usda.gov. The contracting officer for this solicitation is David Jackson, davidc.jackson@usda.gov. Please contact the specialist first with questions regarding the requirements of this solicitation. Do not discuss your bid prices with the specialist or contracting officer before award. 2022 and 2023 crop will be acceptable for this solicitation, for PECAN PIECES PKG-24/1 LB. For more information on this solicitation, please visit this link.

The National Pecan Federation commends USDA on this announcement and their continued efforts to provide nutritional support to those in need. NPF appreciates the opportunity to work with USDA in securing this purchase not only for the health of the pecan industry but also for the consumers who will now have access to a healthy and nutritious product in pecans.

National Pecan Federation

The National Pecan Federation (NPF) represents pecan growers and pecan shellers (many of whom are also importers) across the United States. The NPF's mission is to promote, protect, and improve business conditions for the pecan industry by representing and advocating their common interest to the government. The NPF comprises industry organizations across the US, including the Western Pecan Growers Association, Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association, Texas Pecan Growers Association, Southeastern Pecan Growers Association, Georgia Pecan Growers Association, and the National Pecan Shellers Association.