I 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5812 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 21, 2010 Mr. Welch introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor A BILL To conduct a pilot program in support of efforts to increase purchases of local fresh fruits and vegetables for schools and service institutions by giving several States the option of receiving a grant from the Secretary of Agriculture for that purpose instead of obtaining commodities under Department of Agriculture programs.

1.

Pilot program for purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for schools and service institutions in Vermont

(a)

Pilot program

The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a pilot program under which a participating State, in lieu of obtaining any or a portion of the State’s commodities under section 10603(b) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 612c–4(b)), receives a grant from the Food and Nutrition Service in an amount equal to the value of the commodities for each of fiscal years 2011 and 2012. The grant funds shall be used solely to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to schools and service institutions in the State participating in the food service programs under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.). (b)

Selection of participating States

The pilot program is limited to three States. The Secretary shall select the participating States from applications submitted by the States. Each participating State shall be from a different Department of Agriculture region. (c)

Reporting requirements

(1)

School and service institution requirement

Schools and service institutions in a participating State shall keep records of purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables made using the grant funds and report such information to the State. (2)

State requirement

The participating States shall report to the Secretary on the success of the pilot program, including information on— (A)the value of the grant funds versus commodities previously received under section 10603 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002; and (B)the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables purchased versus varieties previously received under such section.