RegulationsLearning Support :

The USDA Food Distribution Program is authorized by the U.S. Congress through several federal agricultural policies designed to support American farmers by supporting domestic agriculture and removing surplus commodities from the market.

Below are three of the primary pieces of legislation, which enables the various commodities to be provided through the Minnesota’s Food Distribution Program:

Section 6 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act of 1966, provides support through cash reimbursement and non-cash assistance in the form of USDA Commodities for each eligible meal served. The non-cash commodity assistance is a three-month average value of the Price Index for Food Used in Schools and Institutions for March, April, and May of each year. The commodity assistance is updated annually and published in the Federal Register.

Section 32 of the Agricultural Act of 1935, has two primary objectives: (1) supporting agricultural prices through the removal of surplus commodities, while (2) providing food to children to prevent malnutrition. Section 32 of the Act provide the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to use proceeds equal to about 30 percent of all collected import duties to support these purchases and distribute perishable commodities. Therefore, removing surplus commodities from the market, stabilize farm prices and provide nutritious foods to the National School Lunch Program.

Section 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949, authorizes the Commodity Credit Corporation to make available additional support of certain commodities acquired through price support to school lunch programs. The Act also authorizes the payment for added processing, packaging and handling costs for foods.

Regulations are developed and issued by USDA based upon provisions contained in the legislation governing the National School Lunch Program. The Code of Federal Regulations 7 Part 210 outlines general regulations and policies for the National School Lunch Program. And Code of Federal Regulations 7 Part 250 outlines general regulations and policies for donation of foods under USDA’s Commodity Food Distribution Program.

*Title 7 Code of Federal Regulations

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