Managing the farm products forfeited to the CCC requires cooperation with the warehousing and transportation industries and private marketing channels. With over 10,000 commercial warehouses across the country approved for CCC storage contracts, FSA commodity managers work closely with the commercial trade industry.
Under the dairy price support program, the CCC buys surplus butter, cheese, and nonfat dry milk from processors at announced prices. These purchases help maintain market prices at the legislated support level.
FSA employees work with the USDA's Food and Consumer Services to purchase and deliver processed foods for the national school lunch and domestic feeding programs.
CCC inventories are not simply held, but must move into trade channels. The FSA has a field office in Kansas City, with a staff to direct commodity operations. Plugged into telecommunication trade networks, FSA merchandisers regularly sell and swap inventories.
Beyond the marketplace, CCC commodities contribute to hunger relief for
needy families in the United States and overseas. The FSA coordinates the
processing of over 5 billion pounds of commodities each year. Donated for
"Food for Peace" and other programs administered by voluntary organizations,
these American farm products help relieve hunger around the world.