Hinds Today

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith from Mississippi expressed her appreciation for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's decision to purchase up to $30.5 million in farm-raised catfish products for distribution to various nutrition assistance programs.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack authorized the farm-raised catfish purchase through the "Section 32" program, which allows for emergency purchases of surplus U.S. commodities for distribution to domestic food assistance programs.

Hyde-Smith highlighted the challenges faced by catfish producers, stating, "Catfish producers in Mississippi and other states continue to be buffeted by any number of challenges, including high input costs, inflation, and unfair global competition. However, they’re fighters and keep serving up a wonderful product."

She also noted the positive impact of the Section 32 purchases, mentioning, “The continued Section 32 purchases should help them some while also getting more nutritious farm-raised catfish products to those in need.”

Hyde-Smith has been a consistent advocate for the use of Section 32 purchases to support U.S. agricultural producers and provide resources for distribution to food banks and nonprofit nutrition programs. In the past, she supported the purchase of Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic wild-caught shrimp products under the same program.

Additionally, Hyde-Smith cosponsored the Ban C-FOOD Act (S.3417) in December, which aims to ban U.S. imports of seafood and aquaculture products from China, sanction companies importing Chinese seafood, and impose tariffs on countries facilitating the shipment of Chinese seafood.