Under Section 2, of the National School Lunch Act, as amended, the USDA encourages the domestic consumption of American-grown commodities for use by the nation's school children. The variety of foods available to schools may run as high as 60 kinds or more. A more limited variety is available to agencies not participating in the National School Lunch Program. Bonus foods are not charged against the state's monetary entitlement.
Special emphasis is given to high protein foods, meat and meat alternatives.
Foods purchased in this way are donated to the non-profit school lunch program, charitable institutions and welfare agencies for the purpose of diverting the commodities for regular channels of trade and thereby increasing their overall utilization among persons in low income groups. The Agricultural Act of 1949, Section 416, as amended, authorizes the Commodity Credit Corporation to make surplus food stocks available for donation, in order to prevent waste, before they could be disposed of through normal domestic channels or sold abroad. The below listing of commodities is to be used only as a guide when considering the types of commodities that have traditionally been included under these various sections of the law. Frz., Bulk Chicken, Cut-up, Frz. Beef, Patties, Frz.