WASHINGTON – Last week, the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service purchased approximately 37,010,000 lbs. of dark meat chicken parts at an approximate cost of $16,454,000 for domestic food nutrition assistance programs. According to the National Chicken Council, products were purchased from three companies that were among 12 that were eligible for consideration.

On Sept. 7, USDA announced it intended to buy dark meat chicken parts, and cumulative lbs. purchased so far under the program are 61,175,000 lbs. worth $27,172,000.


Last Wednesday, AMS also purchased 25,272,000 lbs. of chicken and chicken products at an approximate cost of $19,037,000 for school lunch and other domestic nutrition assistance programs.