The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Wednesday released its bid solicitation to purchase $52 million (€51.2 million) worth of rockfish fillets, Pacific salad shrimp and Pacific whiting fillets.

The agency is seeking 89,100 cases of frozen Pacific rockfish fillets, 46,800 cases of Pacific salad shrimp and 136,800 cases of Pacific whiting fillets.

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The products will be used for the agency's Section 32 National School Lunch program and Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs across the United States with bids due by Aug. 31.

Last year marked the first time ever the USDA purchased Pacific whiting, shrimp and rockfish for its food assistance programs. And this year's announcement is triple the amount awarded last year, which totaled nearly $17 million (€16.7 million).

The $52 million will be distributed as follows for the products, according to the USDA:

  • Pacific pink shrimp - $12 million (€11.8 million)
  • Pacific whiting fillets - $22 million (€21.6 million)
  • Pacific rockfish fillets - $18 million (€17.7 million)

The value of US seafood purchased by the USDA has exploded over the past several years, making the government one of the largest purchasers of Alaska pollock and other seafood.

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