USDA

Apr 2025

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is currently seeking public comments that could determine the future of the USDA Farm to School Census. The questions they’ve posed suggest the value of this program is under scrutiny. Now is the time for farm to school and early care supporters to speak up and help protect this crucial resource. Read below to learn more and make your voice heard.

Mar 2025

This week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the cancellation of the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program for fiscal year 2025, which would have provided $10 million to help schools and early care and education (ECE) centers incorporate local foods, nutrition education, and garden activities into their meal programs.

Oct 2024

The National Farm to School Network (NFSN) applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s October 1 announcement to invest $1.7 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to support the purchase of locally and regionally produced foods.

Feb 2024

National Farm to School Network launches a new project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and Life Time Foundation, to enhance the well-being of children, fortify family-run farms, and foster thriving communities.

Dec 2023

Are you currently working to increase local procurement in school meals, expand scratch cooking, or build relationships with community stakeholders? If so, and you’ve been looking for additional funding to support your project, you may be eligible for one of the USDA Transformation Grants. 

Sep 2023

We are thrilled that the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA) has made a groundbreaking decision to implement the proposed rule change to expand the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which provides funding to allow eligible school districts to serve free school meals to all students.

Sep 2023

National Farm to School Network (NFSN) publicly launched the Racial Equity Learning Lab (‘the Lab’), a pioneering initiative developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture through a Cooperative Agreement. NFSN is excited to announce that the first official cohort of the Lab has been formed and will begin engaging in the learning experience starting September 8, 2023.

Apr 2023

On February 7, 2023, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced proposed rule changes to its child nutrition program standards. This will have a huge impact on school, after-school, and early child care meal programs.

Apr 2022

On March 17, USDA opened applications for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS). The program will make $200 million available to state governments to purchase local food for school meal programs.

Mar 2022

Congress recently passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package. While the demand for nutritious, equitably procured school meals far exceeds the scope of funding provided, this bill nevertheless contains a handful of wins for farm to school and farm to early care and education (ECE) and much-needed funds for our farmers and communities.

Mar 2022

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress granted the USDA the authority to issue child nutrition waivers, which have given schools the funding & resources necessary to keep school meals programs afloat & provide free meals to an additional 10 million students each day. We were deeply disappointed to hear that Congress passed an omnibus spending bill that does not extend these waivers.

Mar 2022

On March 1st, USDA opened grant applications under the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), and with this opening came an exciting announcement; in addition to the standard focus areas of these grants, USDA is seeking to fund Farm to Institution (FTI) projects.

Nov 2021

‍The USDA Farm to School Grant is an annual, competitive grant that supports the planning, development, and implementation of farm to school and farm to ECE programs. USDA's Farm to School grants are an important way to help state, regional, and local organizations as they initiate, expand, and institutionalize their farm to school and farm to ECE efforts.