Stricter 'Buy American' Rules for School and Child Nutrition Programs
This bill tightens the rules for food purchases in federal school and child nutrition programs, mandating that schools prioritize US-produced food. It increases transparency by requiring schools to notify parents about foreign food purchases and publicly document any exceptions to the rule. The goal is to ensure federal funds support American farmers and domestic production.
Key points
Schools must purchase domestic products; the previous loophole allowing foreign purchases when 'to the maximum extent practicable' is removed.
A strict limit is imposed: foreign food purchases (even with a waiver) cannot exceed 5% of the school's total annual food costs.
Parents must be notified at least once per school year if the school purchased foreign food products.
Suppliers who violate the domestic purchase requirement in contracts must reimburse the federal funds used for non-compliant foreign goods.
Expired
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