Millions of Americans in need will receive canned Alaska salmon through a deal with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The sale will also relieve Alaska’s seafood industry of some market pressure.
The USDA announced Wednesday it will purchase up to USD 13 million (EUR 10 million) in canned pink salmon from Alaska processors for its Emergency Food Assistance Program. That’s about 8.4 million cans of salmon, or 42 million meals, said Bruce Schactler, USDA food aid program coordinator for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.
The program will distribute the cans to thousands of food pantries in almost all 50 states, he said.
“What’s happening with the product? Well, Americans are eating it all over the country,” Schactler said.
