In an effort to bolster American agriculture, U.S. Senators Tim Sheehy, a Republican from Montana, and Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, have introduced new legislation mandating schools to obtain a waiver before purchasing non-U.S. produced food. This bill builds on existing laws that incentivize schools under the National School Lunch Program to prioritize American-grown food.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the school lunch program, will handle the new waiver process. The bill extends the American-produced requirement to include the Summer Food Service Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Special Milk Program, while also imposing stricter reporting requirements.
Senator Sheehy emphasized the importance of a “more secure” domestic food supply chain, asserting that the legislation supports U.S. food producers over foreign rivals. “Buying U.S.-grown agricultural products not only protects the health and well-being of American kids, but also supports our nation’s economy,” he stated.
Senator Schiff echoed these sentiments, highlighting the necessity of schools purchasing American produce to bolster farmers and the national economy. Agricultural advocacy groups, including the Farm Bureau Federation, have shown strong support for the bill, with “Buy American” being a key policy area.
Cyndi Johnson, president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, praised the initiative, noting that American farmers produce top-quality crops and livestock. She expressed pride in Montana’s agricultural products and the effort to deliver this nutritious food to schools.
The timing of the bill coincides with a cyclospora infection affecting the U.S., with a potential link to Mexican produce, according to the Associated Press. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that food illness outbreaks can be challenging to trace.
