PHILADELPHIA – The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is procuring a six-month advanced supply of meat, poultry and fish to provide drought relief the US agriculture industry. The purchase is estimated at $100 million, according to the agency.

The agency’s Troop Support Subsistence supply chain asked its top three vendors to buy, store and distribute beef, pork, lamb, chicken and catfish products. Purchases will be based on forecasted demand and then the agency will identify the specific meat items to buy. Prime vendors will store the additional meat, according to DLA. Officials with Troop Support Subsistence are negotiating with vendors on storage and distribution fees, estimated to be between $2.4 and $3.3 million.

“Dining facility menus will not be affected by this purchase,” said Tom Daley, deputy director. “A soldier at a [dining facility] in Afghanistan won’t notice anything different when eating a grilled cheeseburger or baked chicken. The warfighter will continue to receive healthy, wholesome and nutritious meals.”

The DLA is a combat support agency with headquarters in Fort Belvoir, Va. The agency employs roughly 27,000 people worldwide and supports more than 2,210 weapon systems.