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Basic page Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program - Snapshot of the FY 2026 RFA

This page is a resource that will help you decide if the fiscal year 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School grant is right for your project by providing an overview of the purpose, eligibility, and other key information. This does not serve as a replacement for the Request for Applications. Carefully and completely review the full RFA and associated documents for detailed information about the application components and required documents for submission.

09/30/2025
Basic page Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program - What's New in FY 2026

This page describes the main changes for the fiscal year 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School grant compared to the past two grant years. We do not describe every change. Applicants should carefully read the entire Request for Applications prior to applying.

09/30/2025
Basic page Quick Start Guide - Applying for a Farm to School Grant

Getting started applying to the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program.

09/30/2025
Basic page Farm to School Grant Program FAQs for FY 2026 Request for Applications

Please refer to the request for application for more detailed information.

09/30/2025
Resource | Policy Request for Information: Ultra-Processed Foods - Extension of Comment Period

FDA and USDA (we) are extending the comment period for the notice that appeared in the Federal Register of July 25, 2025. In the notice, we requested data and information to help develop a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods. In response to requests for an extension, we are extending the comment period until Oct. 23, 2025, to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments.

09/19/2025
Resource | Policy Request for Information: Ultra-Processed Foods

FDA and USDA (we) are requesting data and information to help develop a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods (UPF or UPFs) for human food products in the U.S. food supply. A uniform UPF definition, developed as part of a joint effort by federal agencies, would allow for consistency in research and policy to pave the way for addressing health concerns associated with the consumption of UPFs. 

07/25/2025
Resource | Policy National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs, National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates SY 2025-26

This notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payments, the amount of money the federal government provides states for lunches, afterschool snacks, and breakfasts served to children participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; to the maximum reimbursement rates, the maximum per lunch rate from federal funds that a state can provide a school food authority for lunches served to children participating in the National School Lunch Program; and to the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to non-needy children in a school or institution that participates in the Special Milk Program for Children.

07/24/2025
Resource | Policy Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA); Interpretation of “Federal Public Benefit”

This notice sets forth the interpretation that the U.S. Department of Agriculture uses for the term “Federal public benefit” as used in Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. In doing so, this notice supersedes any prior interpretation in any notice or other document issued by any USDA agency. This notice also describes and preliminarily identifies the USDA programs that provide “Federal public benefits” within the scope of PRWORA.

07/10/2025
Resource | Policy Proposed Information Collection: Generic Clearance To Conduct Formative Research or Development of Nutrition Education and Promotion Materials and Related Tools and Grants for FNS Population Groups

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other interested parties to comment on a proposed information collection. This collection is an extension of a currently approved collection to conduct research in support of FNS' goal of delivering science-based nutrition education to targeted audiences.

05/29/2025
Resource | Policy Using Federal Funds to Purchase Local Foods

The purpose of this memorandum is to remind schools, sponsors, and institutions participating in any USDA Child Nutrition Program, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Special Milk Program for Children , Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and the Seamless Summer Option , of the many ways they can purchase local foods to serve in program meals.

05/06/2025
Page updated: October 14, 2021