A FB contender with a local preference

H.R. !551 is another farm bill wannabe, and while not broadly backed by industry like the EAT Healthy America Act, it has provisions of interest to fruit and vegetable producers. Primarily, it offers significant extension of conservation programs. The bill was introduced by Rep. Ronald Kind, D-Wisc., and has a thumping 74 co-sponsors. It boasts big funding for expansion of the fresh fruit and vegetable program, proposes a federally backed promotion program and revision of funding for school lunches based on dietary guidelines. It also contains this wrinkle about installing a a preference for locally produced agricultural products.

SEC. 307. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PROCUREMENT OF LOCALLY PRODUCED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
(a) Findings- Congress finds the following:
(1) Locally procured agricultural products, as compared to products transported from distant sources--
(A) are often harvested closer to full ripeness and can have higher nutritional quality;
(B) can have improved ripeness, taste, or selection, which can increase rates of consumption of agricultural products; and
(C) are more efficient to store, distribute, and package.
(2) Use of local produce--
(A) reduces dependence upon foreign oil by reducing fuel consumption rates associated with the production or transportation of agricultural products;
(B) can help to improve the ability of those using the procurement system to provide education on nutrition, farming, sustainability, energy efficiency, and the importance of local purchases to the local economy;
(C) helps to maintain a robust logistics network for agricultural product procurement; and
(D) promotes farm, business, and economic development by accessing local markets.
(3) Section 9(j) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(j)) directs the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage institutions participating in the school lunch program established under that Act and the school breakfast program established by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) to purchase, in addition to other food purchases, locally produced foods, to the maximum extent practicable and appropriate.
(b) Department of Defense Geographic Procurement Preference- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department of Defense may use a geographic preference to purchase locally produced agricultural products for--
(1) the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia;
(2) the Department of Defense Farm to School Program;
(3) the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program;
(4) the service academies;
(5) Department of Defense domestic dependant schools;
(6) other Department of Defense schools under chapter 108 of title 10, United States Code;
(7) commissary and exchange stores; and
(8) morale, welfare, and recreation facilities operated by the Department of Defense
(c) Department of Agriculture and Related Entities Geographic Procurement Preference- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department of Agriculture, schools, local educational agencies, and other entities may use a geographic preference to purchase locally produced agricultural products for--
(1) the school breakfast program established by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773);
(2) the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.);
(3) the summer food service program for children established under section 13 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761); and
(4) the child and adult care food program established under section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766).
(d) Addition of Geographic Preference- In the case of the purchase of agricultural products for a program or entity described in subsection (b) or (c), the local food service director or other entity making the purchase may include the geographic preference provided by such subsections in bid specifications and may select a bid involving locally produced agricultural products, even if that bid is not the lowest bid.
(e) Reporting- A school, local educational agency, or other entity participating in one or more of the programs described in subsection (c) shall report to the Secretary of Agriculture if the school, local educational agency, or other entity pays more than 10 percent more than the lowest bid to purchase locally produced agricultural products in accordance with this section. (f) Review- The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Agriculture shall periodically review the use of the geographic preference provided by this section to prevent fraud or abuse.