News Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced an unprecedented $18 million allocation for the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, aimed at improving access to local food in schools. The new funding model raises concerns about its impact on smaller projects, as eligibility criteria have changed. Experts express skepticism regarding the ability of this investment to address previous funding cuts that have left many organizations in need. The initiative has a storied history since its inception, supporting family farms and school nutrition efforts across the nation.

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an allocation of $18 million for the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program for the year 2026, marking it as the largest single-year investment since the program’s inception. This funding aims to enhance access to local, fresh food in schools, supporting small family farms across the nation.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins detailed that the upcoming grants will streamline the application process, focusing on fewer but larger projects. However, the USDA’s recent funding strategies have raised concerns, particularly following the cancellation of a previously allocated $10 million for the same program in March 2025, which left many schools and organizations without anticipated support.

Experts within the agricultural and educational sectors have expressed skepticism regarding the new funding’s ability to counterbalance recent cuts, particularly in local food sourcing. The changes in grant criteria could potentially disadvantage smaller entities, as the new minimum award amount is set at $100,000, while past projects often received grants below $50,000. These smaller projects, which included initiatives like establishing school gardens, previously benefited from a more accessible funding structure.

The farm-to-school grant program, established under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act signed into law by former President Barack Obama, has provided over $100 million to more than 1,200 projects since its implementation in 2013. Initially, the program’s annual funding was set at $5 million but has consistently received additional congressional support over the years.

Changes to Grant Parameters

Recent changes to the grant application parameters include consolidating seven previous categories into a single category and eliminating a scoring system that favored equitable funding distribution to underserved communities. This shift aims to streamline the process but has raised concerns that it may hinder progress in diverse and equitable access to local foods for schools.

Though the continuation of funding is a positive development for the farm-to-school initiative, experts caution that it does not mitigate the negative impact of cuts to other essential programs, such as SNAP-Ed and the Local Food for Schools program. Stakeholders emphasize the importance of supporting the health and nutrition of schoolchildren while also considering the needs of farmers and food service directors.

Community and Expert Reactions

As the USDA moves forward with these changes, the impact on small farms and school nutrition programs remains to be seen. With a renewed focus on substantial projects, it is crucial that the needs of smaller entities, which have traditionally played a vital role in farm-to-school initiatives, are not overlooked.

The USDA has not publicly commented on the implications of these funding changes or its strategic direction regarding local food sourcing initiatives. Stakeholders hope that future engagements will prioritize diverse input to effectively enhance the farm-to-school landscape.

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USDA Allocates $18 Million for Farm to School Program