​USDA Foods

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods program is a dual-purpose program designed to support domestic agriculture and to reduce the food expenses in schools by an average of twenty percent. Maryland schools can choose from a catalog of over two hundred choices of domestically grown fruits, vegetables, grains, poultry, dairy, and meat products to incorporate into their menus. Schools utilizing USDA Foods in their menus ensure compliance with the Buy American ACT and all Federal procurement regulations.  Since these foods are purchased by the USDA, Maryland schools do not need to purchase these products commercially, which leads to an average twenty percent savings.

 

 

The USDA DOD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program enables Maryland schools to get fresh fruits and vegetables delivered on a weekly basis.  Schools can allocate all or a portion of their allocated USDA Foods funds to this program.  The schools order their choice of fruits and vegetables to be delivered from a Maryland-based Produce Company with an emphasis on locally available products.