The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program forms cooperative agreements with non-profit and tribal organizations to expand technical assistance, including farm to school and farm to CACFP institutes. These cooperative agreements will increase the capacity of government agencies, tribal organizations, agricultural producers, schools and other partners to increase local food procurement and agricultural education in child nutrition programs.
Schools provide some of the healthiest meals that kids eat which play an important role in providing the nutrition they need to grow and learn and school meals are about to get even better We know you want the best for our nation's children and USDA is investing in school meals to make them even healthier over the next several years.
USDA works with states and school nutrition professionals to provide kids with nutritious school meals that support their health and well-being. The department has offered schools across the country nearly $13.2 billion in financial support since January 2021. Learn more below.
Media toolkit for USDA updates to the school nutrition standards in a few key areas to give kids the right balance of nutrients for healthy and appealing meals.
This final rule - Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans - is the next step in continuing the science-based improvement of school meals.
Updated School Meal Standards: working towards a common goal of healthy children and helping them reach their full potential.
School meals will continue to include fruits and vegetables, emphasize whole grains, and give kids the right balance of nutrients for healthy, tasty meals. For the first time, schools will focus on products with less added sugar, especially in school breakfast.
This webinar provides an overview of how to create a sustainable farm to school project along with resources and examples.
Check out this database to access vendor-specific product information for all direct delivered USDA Foods for the National School Lunch Program.
The Menu Planner for School Meals has been revised to reflect the Child Nutrition Programs: Transitional Standards for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Final Rule that was published in February 2022.