Statement of managers - purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to schools

DOD Fresh stands pat. From page 106 of 423 of statement of managers:

(51) Purchase of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Distribution to Schools and Service
Institutions
The House bill amends section 10603 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA) by increasing the dollar amount of fresh fruits, vegetables and other specialty foods the Secretary must procure for schools and service institutions participating in programs under the National School Lunch Act to at least $50,000,000 a year for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 and $75,000,000 a year for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2012. As under current law, these amounts may be spent through the Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Program. (Section 4301) The Senate amendment provides that, in lieu of purchases required under Sec. 10603, the Secretary purchase fruits, vegetables, and nuts for use in domestic food assistance programs using Section 32 funds. Purchase amounts are set at: $390 million for fiscal year 2008, $393 million for fiscal year 2009, $399 million for fiscal year 2010, $403 million for fiscal year 2011, and $406 million for fiscal year 2012 and each year hereafter. Items purchased may be in frozen, canned, dried, or fresh form. The Senate amendment also allows the Secretary to offer value-added products containing fruits, vegetables or nuts after taking into consideration whether demand exists for the value-added product and the interest of entities that receive fruits, vegetables and nuts under this program. (Section 4907)
The Conference substitute adopts the House language with an amendment to retain the current $50 million a year requirement to acquire fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution in accordance with section 6(a) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The Managers expect the purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables previously made through the Department of Defense Fresh Program will continue under an equivalent procurement mechanism. (Section 4404)
(52) Buy America Requirements
The House bill includes Congressional findings that: (1) Federal law requires that commodities and products purchased with Federal funds be, to the extent practicable, of domestic origin; (2) Federal Buy American statutory requirements seek to ensure that purchases made with Federal funds benefit domestic producers; and (3) the School Lunch Act requires the use of domestic food products for all meals served under the program, including food products purchased with local funds. (Section 4302) The Senate amendment is the same as the House bill, with technical differences. (Section 4906). The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. (Section 4306).