U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has agreed to use up to USD 30 million (EUR 27.2 million) in government funds to buy surplus canned sockeye salmon to help feed the needy.
Vilsack, urged by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has agreed to use the funds to buy Alaska canned salmon for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
"Food banks nationwide are reporting higher numbers and more diverse numbers of Americans in need, and Alaskan sockeye salmon is an ideal source of protein and extremely heart healthy,” said Murkowski. “Knowing that Alaska has tons of excess canned sockeye salmon hurting our fishing industry, this seemed a great fit to clear their shelves and help out those who are still waiting to feel an economic recovery.”
Murkowski noted that surplus salmon from an unusually high harvest of salmon in 2014 would be ideal to help feed low-income Americans through the government food assistance program.
“We are thrilled with Secretary Vilsack’s decision to purchase more nutritious Alaskan salmon for the TEFAP program,” said Food Bank of Alaska Director Michael Miller. “This purchase helps both our state’s fishermen and those in need across the country.”
