By Jamie Martin
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently unveiled USDA's largest-ever investment in the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants.
A total of $14.3 million will fund 154 projects across 43 states, Washington D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico. This initiative is set to enrich the diets of 1.9 million American schoolchildren by integrating more local foods into school meals, promoting both better nutrition and local agriculture.
The Farm to School program, part of a broader national strategy to combat hunger and improve health by 2030, is designed to bring fresh, local produce into school cafeterias while supporting US farmers and the local economy.
This year’s focus is also on increasing equity in nutrition, with over half of the beneficiaries eligible for free or reduced-price meals and many projects targeting rural and minority communities.
Additionally, the USDA has revised regulations to make it easier for schools to purchase locally produced, unprocessed agricultural products.
These changes are expected to foster closer ties between schools and local food producers, enhancing the nutritional quality of school meals and providing students with hands-on learning opportunities about agriculture and healthy eating.
This funding is part of the USDA’s ongoing commitment to support educational and nutritional programs that help children learn about and enjoy healthy food, setting the foundation for good eating habits that can last a lifetime.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National