$10 million USDA boost for school meal system upgrades

Grants support innovative and healthy school meal solutions

By Farms.com

Recently USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service has awarded $10 million in grants to enhance school food systems across the United States. This funding, part of the $100 million Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, supports innovative projects that integrate local agriculture into school meal programs.

These grants, executed through partnerships with organizations like Full Plates Full Potential and the Illinois Public Health Institute, focus on incentivizing schools to adopt more nutritious and appealing meal options. This initiative is crucial for supporting small and rural school districts, with 264 such grants already awarded.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack noted the grants' role in expanding access to healthy, appealing products from local and regional producers, which is vital for building a resilient and equitable food system.

This year's funding includes significant contributions to regional initiatives. In Maine, Full Plates Full Potential awarded $7.4 million to projects aimed at integrating Maine-based foods into school meals.

In the Lake Michigan region, the Illinois Public Health Institute distributed $2.7 million to projects designed to spur innovation and build partnerships across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The USDA's commitment extends beyond just funding. It aligns with the broader goals set during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, aiming to enhance food and nutrition security and improve food access and affordability across the nation.

Through these grants, the USDA continues to advance its mission to end hunger and improve food and nutrition security through its comprehensive suite of nutrition assistance programs.