In the mid-1950s, the structure for the procurement of food and consumable items changed. Defense Logistics Agency

DLA is an agency under the Department of Defense, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Today DLA provides worldwide logistics support in both peacetime and wartime to the military services, civilian agencies, and foreign countries. Under DLA, DLA Troop Support is responsible for nearly all of the food, clothing, and medical supplies used by the military. Procurement Authority and Policy

Military food items are procured in accordance with the provisions of the Berry Amendment and the Buy American Act (BAA). The Berry Amendment [Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C. ), Section 2533a] requires DOD to give preference to the procurement of domestically produced, manufactured, or home grown products, notably food, clothing, and fabrics. The DLA Troop Services Subsistence Directorate

The Subsistence Directorate is divided into the following business units: Food Services, Operational Rations, Produce, Food Safety Office, and Supplier Support.
Military food items, also known as subsistence items, are generally procured under the auspices of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), an agency of the Department of Defense (DOD) which provides worldwide logistics support for the U.S. military services. Under DLA, DLA Troop Services (formerly the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia) is the inventory control point for food, clothing, textiles, medicines, medical equipment, general and industrial supplies, and services for the military, their eligible dependents, and other non-DOD customers worldwide. DLA Troop Services buys and manages about $13.4 billion worth of food, clothing, textiles, and other products. Under DLA Troop Services, the Subsistence Directorate serves as the operational manager for all food operations. These items are procured in accordance with the provisions of the Berry Amendment and the Buy American Act (BAA). The Berry Amendment requires DOD to give preference to the procurement of domestically produced, manufactured, or home grown products, notably food, clothing, and fabrics. This report will describe the origin, authority, and policy in the procurement of food for the military.