The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods in Schools program supports domestic nutrition programs and American agricultural producers through purchases of 100% American-grown and -produced foods for use by schools.
This program reduces 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.
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) sponsors receive cash-in-lieu of USDA Foods with their CACFP meal reimbursements.
USDA Department of Defense (DOD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
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.