Carney: Cheese Purchase Important Step Toward Helping Dairy Farmers

Press Release

Congressman Chris Carney applauded the Department of Agriculture's announcement today that $60 million in cheese and cheese products will be purchased by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for use in domestic feeding programs through USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. It is the second of two steps taken this week by the Department of Agriculture to put forward $350 million of assistance to dairy farmers that was authorized in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill that Congressman Carney championed earlier this year.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced late today that USDA is expediting purchase to help provide much-needed support for low-income families struggling to put nutritious food on their tables, and to deliver timely assistance to dairy farmers who have been challenged by high feed costs and low dairy prices.

"This is another important step toward helping our dairy farmers, who remain the economic engines in many of our rural communities," said Congressman Carney. "This won't solve the woes of dairy farmers, but it is crucial temporary assistance. I am committed to doing all I can to help our farmers during this difficult period."

Dairy farmers have been hard hit by factors outside of their control. Milk prices have declined substantially this year, dropping by about 25 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009. During the summer, prices paid to farmers for milk was about half of what it cost to produce.

On Thursday, Secretary Vilsack announced the implementation of the new Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment (DELAP) program, which will provide $290 million for loss assistance payments to eligible dairy producers.

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