A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require a school food authority to make publicly available any waiver of the Buy American requirement, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · July 30, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
The American Food for American Schools Act of 2026 strengthens the "Buy American" requirement for school meal programs by requiring school districts to purchase domestic agricultural products, processed foods, and seafood whenever possible. Schools must now request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture before purchasing foreign food products, with waivers limited to just 5 percent of each school's annual food budget and only when domestic products are unavailable or of insufficient quality. The legislation applies to multiple federal nutrition programs including the school lunch program, school breakfast program, summer meals, and child care food programs. Schools must notify parents annually about any foreign products they purchase, and the USDA must maintain a public website listing all waivers granted and any instances of supplier noncompliance. The bill also establishes penalties requiring suppliers who violate these requirements to reimburse the federal government for funds used to purchase foreign goods in violation of contracts.
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