school lunches

Earlier this week, the USDA announced new investments to provide healthy school meals to students.  The Department announced several actions to expand support and access to the school meal program including $50 million in grants to increase collaboration between schools, food producers and suppliers.   ...

A 2012 change in school meal nutrition standards drove changes in the type of foods schools purchased.  According to data released by ERS this week, following the change in standards, schools obtained more fruits and vegetables through USDA Foods and especially through USDA’s Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.  While there w...

Farmers have a big impact on child nutrition across the country.  October is National Farm to School Month, and Diane Pratt-Heavner with the School Nutrition Association says farmers have played a big part in nutritious school meals for a long time.   “...

On Tuesday, the Biden Administration provided $50 million in grants for schools to invest in new food service equipment that will allow them to continue serving nutritious meals.  The funding adds to the $30 million equipment grants the administration gave schools earlier this year.   ...

Many U.S. school food authorities purchase local foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and proteins for their district’s cafeterias.  In addition to buying locally produced foods, many school districts participate in other farm to school activities, such as product-specific promotions, taste tests of local foods, onsite edible gardens, and field trips to farms.  Approximately...

As roughly 50 million children return to public schools nationwide in the coming days, a group of farmer and nutrition advocates encourages parents and policymakers to remember dairy.  Dairy advocates say when it comes to the health of students, milk and dairy product options need to be more accessible during the school year.     ...

The USDA said it will increase funding to help schools continue to serve healthy meals this coming school year and provided financial relief for schools and childcare providers.   The reimbursement schools will get for each meal served will increase by 68 cents per free or reduced-price lunch and 32 cents per free or reduced-price breakfast.   The in...

Last week, the USDA announced updates to the school nutrition standards, giving schools a path forward. The agency said these actions support the dedicated school meal program operators who provide critical nutrition to millions of children every day at school ...

Thanks to an adjustment in school meal reimbursements, district across the U.S. are receiving more money to runs their 2022 school meal programs. “There was an annual adjustment that typically occurs in the reimbursement rates," said USDA Nutrition Service Administrator Cindy Long. "Bu ...

Ag Secretary, Tom Vilsack, says when it comes to efforts to ensure all school aged children across the country are fed, the American Families Plan offers needed assistance. "We're going to make permanent, this incredible and historic effort to feed kids during the summer months ...