Cash in lieu of commodities is cash provided to food program operators (e.g., elderly nutrition programs, child care food programs, and some school food programs) instead of mandated commodity assistance. Meal program operators receive funding instead of commodities to buy whatever foods they need to operate their meal service programs.
This article incorporates public domain material from Jasper Womach. Report for Congress: Agriculture: A Glossary of Terms, Programs, and Laws, 2005 Edition (PDF). Congressional Research Service.