$1,191,200 of economic recovery funds for a 2lb Ham

[MrLabGuy]

Well...I forgot to mention it was Sliced.

Contracts - Recipient Summary | Recovery.gov

[MrLabGuy]

Think that's expensive...Have them add water, cook and freeze the ham before slicing...the cost goes up considerably $2,531,600

Contracts - Recipient Summary | Recovery.gov

[MrLabGuy]

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on this issue when brought to light.

"Through the Recovery Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made $100 million available to the states for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which acquires food that is distributed to local organizations that assist the needy – including food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens. The Recovery Act funds referenced in press reports allowed states to purchase ham, cheese and dairy products for these food banks, soup kitchens and food pantries that provide assistance to people who otherwise do not have access to food. This program will help reduce hunger of those hardest hit by the current economic recession. The references to "2 pound frozen ham sliced" are to the sizes of the packaging. Press reports suggesting that the Recovery Act spent $1.191 million to buy "2 pounds of ham" are wrong. In fact, the contract in question purchased 760,000 pounds of ham for $1.191 million, at a cost of approximately $1.50 per pound. In terms of the dairy purchase referenced, USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) purchased 837,936 pounds of mozzarella cheese and 4,039,200 pounds of processed cheese. The canned pork purchase was 8,424,000 pounds at a cost of $16,784,000, or approximately $1.99 per pound. While the principal purpose of these expenditures is to provide food to those hardest hit by these tough times, the purchases also provide a modest economic benefit of benefiting Americans working at food retailers, manufacturers and transportation companies as well as the farmers and ranchers who produce our food supply."

Here is the PROBLEM TOM. A 2lb Ham can be purchased for a low as $0.79 a pound even if you buy one ham let alone 760,000 pounds.

Circulars

[Wagner]

Not too surprised.