USDA Introduces Exciting New School Meal Options for the New Academic Year

WASHINGTON, August 29, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) collaborated with the U.S. Department of Education, education stakeholders, parents, and partners in school meal programs to conduct a virtual rally focused on the back-to-school period, celebrating those who play a crucial role in educating and feeding America’s school children. The event showcased important initiatives introduced by the Biden-Harris Administration aimed at enhancing school meals and nutrition, recognizing their vital role in student success.

“Providing nutritious school meals is fundamental in creating a productive educational setting, fueling children to learn, grow, and flourish,” remarked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “At USDA, we are dedicated to empowering kids for success, and this rally serves as a platform to encourage collaboration in improving school meals this academic year and beyond. We appreciate our partners at the Department of Education and all those in schools, districts, and the industry who understand the critical link between nutritious meals and our children’s futures. We look forward to a successful back-to-school season together.”

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, sharing his experience as a former teacher and principal, stated, “I’ve witnessed the dedication of our school nutrition staff and the significant impact it has when students arrive at school, invigorated after a healthy meal, ready to engage. This rally reminds us that schools are not solely academic arenas but also community hubs where students and their families can access essential resources.”

Earlier this year, the USDA announced new nutritional standards, aimed at providing schools with improved options to efficiently plan and serve healthy meals. K-12 institutions provide nutritious meals daily to about 30 million children, which play a key role in many children’s overall nutrition.

Enhancements: More Delicious and Nutritious Choices for Schools

This academic year marks the introduction of additional choices for schools including:

• Offering protein-rich breakfast items such as yogurt, tofu, eggs, nuts, and seeds to reduce sugar content while accommodating vegetarian preferences and other dietary needs.
• Encouraging the procurement of local foods, allowing schools to prioritize unprocessed agricultural products that are locally sourced in their meal program purchases. Further information on these options can be found on the Procuring Local Foods webpage.

Explore how various school districts are actively reducing added sugars and incorporating local produce into their cafeterias with USDA support:

Regional School Unit (RSU) #89, Maine

“We’ve phased out sugary breakfast bars in favor of healthier options. Our lunches now feature either USDA meats or locally sourced options. Additionally, we incorporate vegetables, eggs, potatoes, sausages, and bacon from local farms. Our focus is consistently on decreasing sugar and sodium levels while utilizing more local produce.” – Denise Tapley Proctor, food service director

Watch this video blog to discover RSU #89’s efforts in enhancing their school meal offerings.

Thornton Fractional High School District (HSD) #215, Illinois

“We are revamping our breakfast offerings by eliminating sugary cereals and introducing more protein-rich options like yogurt parfaits, overnight oats, and hard-boiled eggs.” – Phylicia Burford, director of food services

Check out this video blog to learn more about how Thornton Fractional HSD #215 is transforming their school meals.

Both RSU #89 and Thornton HSD #215 were recipients of USDA Healthy Meals Incentives grants, aimed at enhancing their meal programs — part of a significant investment by USDA aimed at school meal support in small and rural areas. These districts received recognition for their advancements. Additionally, USDA, in cooperation with Action for Healthy Kids, continues to offer grants, technical assistance, and innovative practices through a $100 million initiative. To find out more about other award-winning school districts, visit the HMI Awardee Spotlight webpage.

Universal Access to Healthy School Meals

Pursuing the goal of providing complimentary healthy school meals for all is outlined in the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.

Eight states have committed to instituting permanent measures for offering healthy school meals at no charge to every student: California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Vermont.

Additionally, numerous schools in high-need areas in other states have implemented free meals for all students through the Community Eligibility Provision, known as CEP. Last year, USDA expanded access, granting approximately 3,000 more school districts the ability to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost.

Future Improvements in School Meals

In the coming years, school meals are set to be enhanced with gradual reductions in added sugars and sodium. For details on how these changes will unfold, watch this video:

Commitment to Healthy Children

The USDA is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles for children. The organization has undertaken several initiatives to enhance programs that deliver essential nutrition to children and infants.

Since January 2021, USDA has provided nearly $13.7 billion in financial resources to schools nationwide, with significant investments in school meals this year, including:

• Granting an unprecedented $14.3 million in Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants to support 154 projects across 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico, promoting healthier and tastier food options while assisting local farmers and producers.
• Awarding nearly $16.5 million in Healthy Meals Incentives grants to encourage innovation in the school meal sector by fostering cooperation between educational institutions, the food industry, and other key stakeholders. Discover more about the grant recipients here.
• Providing $10 million in grants for school upgrades in food service equipment to support the ongoing delivery of nutritious meals.
• Opening applications for a cooperative agreement worth $600,000 aimed at enhancing food safety training for school nutrition staff.

More Resources

USDA impacts the lives of every American daily in many constructive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is reshaping America’s food system, emphasizing resilient local and regional food production, equitable markets for producers, ensuring access to safe, nutritious food in all communities, creating new markets and income streams for farmers using climate-smart practices, and committing to equity by addressing systemic barriers and fostering a workforce that mirrors the diversity of the nation. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.