USDA adds $18M to farm-to-school grants to revitalize local food systems and improve student nutrition

09/15/2025 / By Belle Carter

The USDA announced an $18 million infusion into the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, marking the largest single-year investment since its 2013 inception, highlighting a strong commitment to improving child nutrition and supporting local agriculture.
Since its launch, the program has distributed $100 million to over 1,275 projects nationwide, including school gardens, farm field trips, nutrition curricula and sourcing arrangements for local produce in cafeterias.
The 2026 funding represents nearly 20 percent of the program’s total history, reflecting its growing importance in promoting healthy eating habits and bolstering local economies.
The program now includes tribal communities and summer child nutrition programs, with efforts to streamline applications and broaden eligibility to include nonprofits, tribal organizations and additional state and local agencies.
Aligned with the “Make America Healthy Again” initiatives, the program aims to combat diet-related illnesses and rising obesity rates by increasing access to fresh, locally sourced foods and reducing reliance on ultra-processed foods.

In a significant move to enhance child nutrition and support local agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it will inject an additional $18 million into the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program.

This marks the largest single-year investment since the program’s inception in 2013, underscoring the USDA’s commitment to fostering healthier eating habits among students and bolstering local food systems.

The program, overseen by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, has been a cornerstone in connecting schools with local farms. Since its launch, the program has distributed over $100 million to more than 1,275 projects nationwide. These projects have varied widely, from establishing school gardens and organizing farm field trips to developing nutrition-focused curricula and creating sourcing arrangements that bring regional produce into school cafeterias.

According to USDA officials, the $18 million investment for 2026 represents nearly 20 percent of the program’s total funding over its 12-year history. This substantial increase reflects the program’s growing importance in promoting healthier diets and supporting local economies.

The recent funding announcement aligns with the broader “Make America Healthy Again” initiatives, which aim to shift the focus away from heavily processed foods towards fresher, more nutritious options. The program has also expanded its reach to include tribal communities and summer child nutrition programs, incorporating food safety training and community food networks. (Related: New MAHA plan aims to tackle childhood health crisis with over 120 initiatives.)

A USDA release on Sept. 10 confirmed the expanded scope and highlighted new efforts to streamline applications and broaden eligibility. The changes now allow nonprofits, tribal organizations and additional state and local agencies to apply for grants, making the program more inclusive and accessible.

Addressing public health challenges

The timing of the announcement coincides with the release of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make Our Children Healthy Again” strategy report. According to Brighteon.AI‘s Enoch, the report identifies diet-related illness, chemical exposures and declining physical activity as major public health challenges for American children. The report states that 60 percent of the U.S. diet consists of ultra-processed foods, a trend linked to rising rates of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one in five U.S. children suffers from obesity, which increases the risk of chronic disease later in life. Farm-to-School projects are designed to counteract these trends by promoting healthy eating habits and increasing access to fresh, locally sourced foods.

Earlier this year, concerns arose that the program might be canceled after the USDA paused funding during a review. At the time, a USDA spokesperson reassured Little Rock Public Radio that funding was not being canceled but postponed, with new opportunities planned for fiscal year 2026. These opportunities have now been formalized, with the expanded grant program expected to increase access to fresh food, strengthen local farm economies and broaden agricultural education nationwide.

The $18 million investment in the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program is more than just a financial boost; it is a commitment to fostering healthier lifestyles, supporting local farmers and ensuring that the next generation has the opportunity to thrive. As the program continues to grow and evolve, it will play a crucial role in shaping a healthier, more sustainable future for American children and communities.

Watch the video below that talks about MAHA targeting junk food from SNAP benefits.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.