GLICKMAN ACCELERATES GOVERNMENT PURCHASE OF FRESH APPLES TO ASSIST GROWERS
                                           Release No..0352.99 
                                                               
                                                               
                                    Andy Solomon (202) 720-4623
                                          andy.solomon@usda.gov
                                 Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998
                                       becky.unkenholz@usda.gov


GLICKMAN ACCELERATES GOVERNMENT PURCHASE OF FRESH APPLES TO ASSIST GROWERS

     WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 1999 Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will accelerate its purchase
of fresh apples in order to assist the nation's hard-pressed farmers.

     "Apple growers, along with many other farmers and ranchers, are
experiencing devastating economic conditions," Glickman said.  "Competing
imports, lower export demand caused by the global economic crisis, and large
carryover surpluses from last year's bumper crop, have put U.S. producers in
tight financial straits.  This accelerated purchase will help struggling apple
producers see some light at the end of this disastrous tunnel."

     This purchase of fresh apples is part of the annual school-year buy and
will be distributed through USDA's national school lunch and other child
nutrition and domestic food assistance programs.  Almost nine million pounds
of apples will be acquired through this accelerated purchase. 

     Invitations to bid, including final details and specifications, will be
mailed to vendors at a later date.  Offers to sell these products must be
received not later than the date specified in the invitation via fax to (202)
720-7271 or mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing
Service, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Commodity Procurement Branch, Room
2548-South, Stop 0239, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20250-0239.

     Further information can be obtained from the Commodity Procurement
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, Room 2548-South, Washington,
DC 20250-6456, telephone (202) 720-4517 or the internet site:
http://www.usda.gov/cp.

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