Apricot Growers Appeal to USDA for Bailout

Apricot growers across the state say tons of excess fruit will go to waste unless the federal government steps in to buy it.

California’s apricot industry wants the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make a “bonus buy,” spending millions to purchase unsold fruit for school lunch programs and distribution to low-income families.

“Right now we have a crop estimated at 95,000 tons, and 30,000 tons [do] not have a home in any outlet,” said Bill Ferriera, president of the California Apricot Producers.

The USDA plans to purchase more than 6,500 tons of apricots for the National School Lunch Program. The agency has taken bids from canners and freezers on the product.

But that may not go far enough to help cash-strapped growers. The federal government so far has not agreed to buy more.