Congressman Kevin Cramer on Monday announced USD3m in purchases for red potatoes for nutrition assistance programs through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

The red potato issue was brought to Cramer’s attention by the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association of East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Chuck Gunnerson, former president of the group, described the red potato market as “A nightmare, due to high yield, no trucks early in the season and the exchange rate with Canada.” The Red River Valley Region bordering eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota is the largest producer of red potatoes in the nation.

Cramer and his staff began communicating with USDA, urging the agency to utilize its authority to expedite the purchase of red potatoes through the AMS federal purchase program to bring this relief.

“This purchase really helps reduce the strain on our red potato producers and provides quality nutrition to families in need,” said Cramer. “I am pleased the USDA acted quickly on our request as the crop is perishable and producers are looking for new crop storage. Our farmers are under a lot of stress with several years of low prices and recent concerns about trade uncertainty, and welcome this good news.”