A coalition of U.S. agricultural organizations representing specialty crop growers and processors has called on federal officials to end waivers that allow imported agricultural products to be used in school meals.
In a letter addressed to Director Russell Vought of the Office of Management and Budget and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, the coalition voiced concern over the growing presence of foreign products, particularly from China and Russia, in school food programs.
The letter noted that U.S. schools have been serving canned peaches and apple juice from China, with estimates indicating that around 80 per cent of apple juice used in school meals is imported. Fish sticks sourced from fish caught by Russian vessels and processed in China were also cited.
According to the coalition, "These foreign purchases undercut American growers and processors, making it harder to compete, invest, and sustain jobs. The food sector, including fruit and vegetable processing, employs over 22 million Americans, accounting for more than 10 per cent of the U.S. economy."
The Buy American provision for school meals, introduced in April 2024, restricts non-domestic food purchases to a maximum of 10 per cent. However, guidance issued by the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service in February 2025 created a waiver system that allows schools to exceed that limit.
The coalition urged USDA to halt the issuance of such waivers or, at a minimum, to establish a clear sunset date for the program. "Supporting the health of American children and the strength of American specialty crop industries," the groups wrote, depends on maintaining the integrity of the Buy American rules.
Signatories to the letter include the Alabama Farmers Federation, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, and Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, alongside other state and national partners.
Industry representatives argue that stronger Buy American enforcement would bolster domestic agriculture and support local economies. The issue remains part of a broader debate over food sourcing transparency, domestic supply chain stability, and long-term agricultural policy direction.
Source: AgNet
