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USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack reaffirmed the department’s commitment to connecting local farmers with schools serving meals to 30 million children daily. Celebrating National School Lunch Week and National Farm to School Month, Vilsack highlighted USDA’s investment of $500 million for schools to purchase local, unprocessed foods, supporting nutritious meals with homegrown flavor for children.
USDA’s investments in local, domestic foods have totaled nearly $4.8 billion since 2021, with a focus on procuring foods from underserved producers. This funding not only provides schools access to nutritious local foods but also creates new market opportunities for producers and supports local communities.
Farm to school activities, such as serving local foods and educational experiences, have gained momentum, with 74% of schools serving local foods in the 2022-2023 school year. Additionally, USDA has awarded a record-breaking $14.3 million in Farm to School Grants in 2024.
USDA continues to prioritize strengthening school meals, providing about $13.2 billion in extra financial support since 2021. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to increasing access to healthy school meals, with eight states already offering free meals to all students. USDA’s efforts align with the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, focusing on equity and access to nutritious food for all.
For more information on USDA’s initiatives and programs, visit www.usda.gov.
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Sophie Müller completed her studies at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, earning a degree in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in agroecology. Her research explored the interactions between crops and their environment, particularly in relation to organic farming systems. Sophie is now a research scientist, focusing on agroecological practices that promote biodiversity and reduce environmental impact in agriculture.
