More Fresh, Local Food Is Coming to School Lunches: What It Means for Your Kids

Fresher food is heading to kids' lunch trays

On July 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new round of grants that bring more fresh, local food into school meals, summer meals, and childcare settings.

This second group of grants for fiscal year 2026 awarded nearly $20 million to 68 projects. Together with the first group announced in April, this is the largest single-year investment in the history of the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program.

For families, the payoff is simple: more schools serving farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, and other local foods that kids actually eat.

Who benefits and how

The grants go to schools, districts, and local food programs, not to families directly. But the benefit lands right on your child's plate.

For example, one Mississippi district will turn greenhouses into growing systems where high school students raise fresh vegetables and herbs for the cafeteria. In Arkansas, all 11 schools in one district will add locally grown crops to their menus.

These projects also connect kids to where food comes from through school gardens, taste tests, and farm field trips.

The bigger picture for families

Since the program launched in 2013, USDA's Food and Nutrition Administration has awarded more than $119 million in grants, funding more than 1,265 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

You do not apply for these grants as a parent, and you never pay anything to benefit from them. The real action step for your family is making sure your kids are signed up for the free and low-cost meals your school and community already offer.

This is a good time of year to check. Summer meal programs run in many towns, and the new school year is coming up fast.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to apply for these grants as a parent?

No. The grants go to schools, districts, and local food programs. Your family benefits through the meals served. To get free or low-cost meals for your kids, ask your school about meal enrollment, which is always free.

Is there free food for my kids this summer?

Many communities run free summer meal sites for children. Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY or text your address to 914-342-7744 to find one near you.

Does this cost me anything?

No. Official USDA and school meal programs are free to use. No one should ask you to pay a fee to sign your child up.

How do I know if my area got one of these grants?

USDA posts project descriptions for all grantees on the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program website, so you can see the projects in your state.