Number: RL34081
Title: Farm and Food Support Under USDA's Section 32 Program
Authors: Geoffrey S. Becker, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: The 110th Congress in May 2008 passed a new omnibus farm bill (P.L. 110- 234). Provisions in this new law now spell out more explicitly how the Secretary is to use the annual Section 32 appropriation. One section of P.L. 110-234 requires new higher minimum levels of fruit, vegetable, and nut purchases (in fresh, frozen, canned, or dried forms) to support domestic nutrition programs. A separate section requires the Department to use Section 32 to fund a fresh fruit and vegetable program for participating elementary schools, with spending to grow from $105 million in FY2009 to $150 million by FY2012. Another part of the new law delineates how the Secretary is to allocate the annual Section 32 appropriation - in order to cover the cost of the fresh fruit and vegetable purchases.
Pages: 15
Date: Updated May 29, 2008