USDA Invests Nearly $30 Million to Boost School Nutrition

The Department of Agriculture Monday announced nearly $30 million in subgrants to improve school nutrition. The funding is part of USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, Action for Healthy Kids. The funding will span 264 school districts across 44 states and the District of Columbia. USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl (So-CHEEL) Torres Small says, “With these funds, small and rural school districts will be able to modernize their operations and provide more nutritious meals.” Each small or rural school district will receive up to $150,000 to support improving the nutritional quality of their meals and modernizing their operations. The efforts include innovative staff training, kitchen updates and renovations, redesigning food preparation and service spaces, and school-district-led initiatives. An online map features the selected school districts and their grant amounts. The map will be updated on a rolling basis as schools formalize their grant agreements. To learn more about other resources USDA provides to strengthen school meal programs, visit the USDA Support for School Meals webpage.