The Hanover County School District participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Feeding and After School Snack Programs. It is required to use the nonprofit food service funds to the maximum extent practical, to buy domestic commodities and products for Program meals. A “domestic commodity or product” is defined as one that is either produced in the U.S. or is processed in the U.S. substantially using agricultural commodities that are produced in the U.S. as provided in 7 CFR Part 210.21(d). There are limited exceptions to the Buy American provision which allow for the purchase of foods not meeting the “domestic” standard as described above (i.e., “non-domestic”) in circumstances when use of domestic foods is truly not practicable. These exceptions, as determined by the District, are: A. The product is not produced or manufactured in the U.S. in sufficient and reasonably available quantities of a satisfactory quality; or B. Competitive bids reveal the cost of a U.S. product are significantly higher than the non-domestic product. Exceptions to the Buy American provision are very limited; however, an alternative or exception may be approved upon request. To be considered for an alternative or exception, the request must be submitted in writing to a designated official, a minimum of number of day(s) days in advance of delivery. The request must include the: 1. Alternative: Substitute(s) that are domestic and meet the required specifications or price of the domestic food alternative substitute(s); and availability of the domestic alternative substitute(s) in relation to the quantity ordered. 2. Reason for the Exception: Limited/lack of availability or price or price of the domestic food product; and price of the non-domestic food product that meets the required specification of the domestic product.
