The U.S. Department of Agriculture will buy $18 million in fresh and frozen potatoes from the U.S. market.
The announcement was part of a move by the federal government to purchase $161.4 million worth of 12 commodities for federal food and nutrition programs.
Friday's purchase is the second this year for the potato industry following a January purchase by the federal government for $9 million in fresh potatoes.
"These purchases area 'win-win' because they help provide healthy food to kids and families through the country while benefiting producers by providing a customer for these products,"Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release.
