USDA Makes Record Breaking Investment In Farm To School Grants
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is awarding a record- breaking $14.3 million in Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants to 154 projects in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. These investments will help 1.9 million children eat more tasty, nutritious foods in school, while supporting farmers and producers in their local and regional communities.
“Farm to School is a huge win for children, schools, farmers, producers and communities,” said Vilsack. “When schools have access to fresh, local food options with homegrown flavor, they can serve delicious, healthy dishes that kids are excited to eat, while also supporting the local economy. These grants continue our work to address both food insecurity and nutrition insecurity, ensuring that we’re not only feeding kids, we’re feeding them well.”
This investment in the Farm to School Program supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health to end hunger and increase healthy eating by year 2030.
The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program helps child nutrition program operators incorporate local foods into meals served through USDA’s National School Lunch Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids.
Farm to school opens opportunities for children to learn about nutrition and agriculture through hands-on experiences, such as planting, watering, and harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The program can also provide a pathway for more children to achieve nutrition security, which is the consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe and affordable food.
Fifty-four percent of students served by these projects are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
More than one-third (35%) of awarded projects serve rural areas.
Members of communities of color lead 40 percent of the awarded organizations, all with projects serving those same communities. Producers can receive the grants for their farm to school projects, too. Three agricultural producers are among this year’s grantees. More than 67,000 schools currently participate in farm to school.
