Legislative Affairs

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced several school meal program initiatives, including awarding $50 million in grants that will increase collaboration between schools, food producers and suppliers, and other partners to develop nutritious, appetizing school meals for kids. The department also announced $10 million in grants for schools to expand nutrition education as well as a proposed regulatory change to give more schools the option to provide healthy school meals to all students at no cost. 

Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative
As part of the USDA's Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, USDA is awarding $50 million to the following organizations to manage the School Food System Transformation Challenge Sub-Grants:

• Boise State University 
• Chef Ann Foundation 
• Full Plates Full Potential 
• Illinois Public Health Institute 

These grants will foster innovation in the school food marketplace to get a wider variety of healthy, appealing foods into the marketplace and onto kids' lunch trays. Schools and other eligible organizations can apply for the challenge sub-grants later this year and are encouraged to check the USDA's Healthy Meals Incentives website for updates.

Team Nutrition Grants
USDA also opened applications for up to $10 million in Fiscal Year 2023 Team Nutrition Grants, which support nutrition education for school-aged children. The grants will fund projects that extend nutrition education efforts beyond the cafeteria, incorporating it into all parts of the school day and even enrichment activities outside of school.

Community Eligibility Provision Proposed Rule
USDA announced it is proposing a change that would give more schools the option to provide healthy school meals to all students at no cost. The rule would expand the number of schools eligible to opt into the Community Eligibility Provision, also known as CEP, which could result in more children receiving tasty, nutritious school meals. Stakeholders may comment on the CEP proposed rule during the 45-day comment period that begins tomorrow. More information is available in the press release at this link.