Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture, led by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, and the Department of Health and Human Services, represented by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., unveiled the Harvest to Hallways initiative. The program aims to strengthen school nutrition by linking local farms with school districts, improving kitchen infrastructure, and expanding access to nutrient‑dense, American‑grown meals for children across the country.
Key components of the initiative
Harvest to Hallways provides up to $70 million for school cafeteria upgrades, including modern equipment and facility improvements needed to prepare fresh, whole‑food meals. Additionally, the program offers up to $25 million in Farm‑to‑School grants for fiscal year 2026 to support schools in sourcing locally produced foods.
Officials highlighted three primary goals: connecting schools with nearby farmers and ranchers, equipping nutrition professionals with the tools to serve real food, and removing barriers that have limited the use of locally sourced, healthier options in school meals.
Federal leadership and policy context
Secretary Rollins emphasized that improving children’s lunch trays is essential to the broader “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, noting that better nutrition benefits students, supports American agriculture, and strengthens communities. Secretary Kennedy echoed the sentiment, stating that the updated Dietary Guidelines will guide the effort to bring nutrient‑dense foods back to school cafeterias affordably.
The initiative builds on previous Farm‑to‑School efforts, extending federal support to ensure that more districts can participate in local food procurement and that school kitchens are equipped to handle fresh ingredients.
Impact on families and farmers
By fostering direct relationships between schools and local producers, the program seeks to create new market opportunities for farmers while providing children with healthier meals. Parents, educators, and community leaders were present at the announcement, underscoring the collaborative nature of the effort.
For more information, visit the USDA’s Harvest to Hallways webpage at www.usda.gov/harvest-to-hallways.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
