How nutrition programs boost demand for American grown farm products
Federal nutrition programs in the United States play an important role in supporting both food security and the farm economy. For many decades, federal agencies have purchased large amounts of American-grown food to supply schools, food banks, military bases and emergency programs. These efforts help create steady markets for farmers and ensure that public funds reinforce domestic agriculture.
The foundation for these rules began in the 1930s, when the Buy American Act encouraged federal agencies to use domestic products whenever possible. Later laws, such as the Berry Amendment and the National School Lunch Act, strengthened this commitment by linking farm support with programs that feed children and families. Over time, these policies created dependable demand for US-grown fruits, vegetables, meats, grains and other products.
In fiscal year 2025, federal agencies purchased about $6.9 billion in American-grown foods. USDA made up the largest share of these purchases, followed by the Department of Defense. These purchases included meat, poultry, fish, produce, dairy, grains and multi-ingredient food items. Even though this amount is a small share of total household food spending, it provides important support to American farmers and rural economies.
School meals remain the most visible example of domestic food preference. The National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program serve millions of students each day and require schools to buy domestic foods whenever practical. However, current rules allow up to 49% of ingredients to come from foreign sources, and some districts use exceptions due to cost, supply challenges or quality differences. USDA’s new rule, beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, will limit non-domestic food purchases to 10%, with a further reduction to 5% by 2031.
Beyond schools, USDA supplies 100% US-grown foods to other nutrition programs and food banks. Programs like DoD Fresh expand access to American produce, while Section 32 and Commodity Credit Corporation authorities help stabilize markets during difficult years.
Despite progress, more transparency and stricter oversight could further strengthen domestic purchasing. Improving tracking and updating definitions would help ensure that federal nutrition dollars consistently support American farmers and strengthen national food security.
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