§ 1736o-1. McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program
(a)
Definition of agricultural commodity
In this section, the term “agricultural commodity” means an agricultural commodity, or a product of an agricultural commodity, that is produced in the United States.
(b)
Program
Subject to subsection (l) of this section, the Secretary may establish a program, to be known as “McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program”, requiring the procurement of agricultural commodities and the provision of financial and technical assistance to carry out—
(c)
Eligible commodities and cost items
Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
(2)
as necessary to achieve the purposes of this section, funds appropriated under this section may be used to pay—
(A)
(ii)
the costs associated with packaging, enrichment, preservation, and fortification of agricultural commodities;
(iii)
the processing, transportation, handling, and other incidental costs up to the time of the delivery of agricultural commodities free on board vessels in United States ports;
(iv)
the vessel freight charges from United States ports or designated Canadian transshipment ports, as determined by the Secretary, to designated ports of entry abroad;
(B)
all or any part of the internal transportation, storage, and handling costs incurred in moving the eligible commodity, if the Secretary determines that—
(d)
General authorities
The Secretary shall to [1] —
(e)
Eligible entities
Assistance may be provided under this section to private voluntary organizations, cooperatives, intergovernmental organizations, governments of developing countries and their agencies, and other organizations.
(f)
Procedures
(1)
In general
In carrying out subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall ensure that procedures are established that—
(A)
provide for the submission of proposals by eligible entities, each of which may include 1 or more recipient countries, for commodities and other assistance under this section;
(C)
ensure that eligible entities demonstrate the organizational capacity and the ability to develop, implement, monitor, report on, and provide accountability for activities conducted under this section;
(D)
provide for the expedited development, review, and approval of proposals submitted in accordance with this section;
(2)
Priorities for program funding
In carrying out paragraph (1) with respect to criteria for determining the use of commodities and other assistance provided for programs and activities authorized under this section, the Secretary may consider the ability of eligible entities to—
(A)
identify and assess the needs of beneficiaries, especially malnourished or undernourished mothers and their children who are 5 years of age or younger, and school-age children who are malnourished, undernourished, or do not regularly attend school;
(B)
(i)
in the case of preschool and school-age children, target low-income areas where children’s enrollment and attendance in school is low or girls’ enrollment and participation in preschool or school is low, and incorporate developmental objectives for improving literacy and primary education, particularly with respect to girls; and
(ii)
in the case of programs to benefit mothers and children who are 5 years of age or younger, coordinate supplementary feeding and nutrition programs with existing or newly-established maternal, infant, and children programs that provide health-needs interventions, including maternal, prenatal, and postnatal and newborn care;
(g)
Use of Food and Nutrition Service
The Food and Nutrition Service of the Department of Agriculture may provide technical advice on the establishment of programs under subsection (b)(1) of this section and on implementation of the programs in the field in recipient countries.
(h)
Multilateral involvement
(1)
In general
The Secretary is urged to engage existing international food aid coordinating mechanisms to ensure multilateral commitments to, and participation in, programs similar to programs supported under this section.
(2)
Reports
The Secretary shall annually submit to the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on the commitments and activities of governments, including the United States government, in the global effort to reduce child hunger and increase school attendance.
(i)
Private sector involvement
The Secretary is urged to encourage the support and active involvement of the private sector, foundations, and other individuals and organizations in programs assisted under this section.
(j)
Graduation
An agreement with an eligible organization under this section shall include provisions—
(l)
Funding
(1)
Use of Commodity Credit Corporation funds
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $84,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to remain available until expended.
[1] So in original. The word “to” probably should not appear.