Key Takeaways:
- USDA awards $14.3 million in Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants to 154 projects.
- The grants will benefit 1.9 million children in 43 states, D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico.
- The initiative supports local farmers and producers, enhancing local economies.
- The grants aim to address food and nutrition insecurity.
- USDA’s commitment includes reaching underserved and marginalized communities.
Significant Investment in Child Nutrition
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is awarding $14.3 million in Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants. These funds are allocated to 154 projects across 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. This initiative aims to help 1.9 million children access more nutritious and tasty foods in schools while supporting local farmers and producers.
“Farm to School is a huge win for children, schools, farmers, producers, and communities,” said Secretary 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.”
Local School Grants Supporting the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
This investment aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, which aims to end hunger and increase healthy eating by 2030. The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants 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 Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids.
Educational and Nutritional Benefits
Farm to school programs offer children hands-on experiences with nutrition and agriculture, such as planting, watering, and harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs. These activities provide pathways for children to achieve nutrition security, defined as consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food.
Commitment to Equity
USDA’s commitment to equity is evident in this year’s grants, which reach historically underserved and marginalized communities. Notably, 54% of students served by these projects are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Additionally, 35% of awarded projects serve rural areas, and members of communities of color lead 40% of the awarded organizations. Eight projects specifically serve American Indian or Alaska Native communities. Moreover, three agricultural producers are among this year’s grantees.
Expanding Farm to School Participation
Currently, more than 67,000 schools participate in farm to school programs. More information about the impact of these grants is available on the Farm to School website. In addition to grantmaking, USDA has finalized regulations encouraging schools to purchase foods from local producers. Schools can now require unprocessed agricultural products to be locally grown, raised, or caught, facilitating the procurement of local foods. More details on these options are available on the Procuring Local Foods webpage.
