Feds To Purchase $170 Million In Food From Farmers

With the worst American drought in more than two decades drawing to a close, President Obama on Monday is expected to announce a new $170 million plan to purchase various forms of livestock from farmers. The plan will help farmers who have been hit the hardest this year by rising food and water costs.

The $170 million plan will provide food for “food nutrition assistance programs” such as food banks and local shelter programs.

Among the included food purchases will be chicken, pork, lamb, and even catfish.

President Obama is expected to make the announcement in the swing state of Iowa on Monday afternoon. Iowa is a farmer heavy state and a crucial stomping ground come the November 6 election.

Obama is also expected to ask that Department of Defense purchases “speed up” their buying process, perhaps purchasing food that can be frozen and used at a later time.

An official close to the Obama campaign told Reuters:

“This is a win-win. Farmers and ranchers will have an opportunity to sell more of their products at this critical time and taxpayers will get a better price on food that would have been purchased later.”

“The president has directed his administration to continue exploring every possible avenue to provide relief to communities struggling with this historic natural disaster.”

The President is expected to visit an Iowa farm to get a better idea of how bad the drought has affected farmers.

President Obama’s plan comes just one week after the governors of Maryland and Delaware asked him to ease ethanol production rules so needed corn which is in short supply could be used to feed livestock.

The President’s current plan is meant to serve as a short term relief proposal to help farmers in need.