Washington, D.C., September 13, 2025
News Summary
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced an unprecedented allocation of $18 million for the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. This funding marks the largest single-year investment in the program’s history and follows the controversial cancellation of $10 million designated for the initiative. The new funds are intended to streamline the application process and focus on larger projects, yet concerns have been raised about their effectiveness in addressing previous cuts that hindered local food sourcing for schools.
Washington, D.C. – Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced an unprecedented $18 million allocation for the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program for the year 2026. This amount marks the largest single-year investment in the program’s history. The announcement comes on the heels of significant controversy following the cancellation of $10 million previously designated for this initiative in March 2025, funds many schools and organizations had already applied for.
The newly announced funds are intended to streamline the application process and focus on fewer, but larger projects. However, this shift has raised concerns among experts regarding whether this funding will sufficiently address the challenges posed by earlier cuts, which hinder local food sourcing for schools.
Since its inception in 2013, the farm-to-school grant program, which aims to improve access to fresh, local food in educational institutions, has distributed a total of $100 million to over 1,200 projects. The program was established under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, a landmark effort signed by former President Barack Obama to improve child nutrition.
In previous years, the farm-to-school grant program received an initial annual funding of $5 million, supplemented by additional congressional funds. The recent changes in grant parameters redefine the landscape for applicants, with a focus on larger projects that require partnerships and set a minimum grant of $100,000. These new guidelines may disadvantage smaller entities that previously secured grants under $50,000, particularly for initiatives such as school garden installations.
Concerns Over Funding Changes
The USDA’s decision to consolidate seven grant categories into a single one and to remove a scoring system that favored equitable funding distribution to underserved communities has come under criticism. Experts have voiced skepticism that the available funding will offset the recent reductions affecting vital educational and nutritional programs such as SNAP-Ed and the Local Food for Schools program.
Karen Spangler from the National Farm to School Network highlights the mixed implications of these changes. While the continuation of funding is welcomed, it remains uncertain if the new parameters will enhance or hinder smaller local initiatives aimed at promoting school nutrition and local food sourcing.
The Need for Stakeholder Engagement
Concerns have been expressed that the recent USDA funding adjustments could compromise the progress made in improving school meal programs. Stakeholders advocating for farm-to-school initiatives are urging the USDA to engage with farmers and school food service directors to better understand their needs and challenges. However, the USDA has not provided available commentary regarding the implications and strategic direction of these funding changes.
Background of the Program
The farm-to-school grant program has operated for over a decade, aiming to bridge the gap between local farmers and educational institutions. With an established mission to enhance student access to healthy foods, the program has also been instrumental in inspiring a new generation of farmers. Despite the challenges posed by the new funding structure, the program remains a vital component of the broader effort to improve child nutrition nationwide.
Summary of Key Funding Updates
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026 Funding Amount | $18 million |
| Previous Funding Cuts | $10 million cancelled |
| Total Funded Since 2013 | $100 million across 1,200 projects |
| Minimum Grant Award | $100,000 |
| Initial Annual Funding | $5 million |
FAQ
What is the purpose of the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program?
The program aims to increase access to fresh, local food in schools, thereby enhancing child nutrition and supporting local farmers.
What are the new funding parameters introduced for 2026?
The USDA is shifting towards fewer, but larger funded projects, setting a minimum grant award of $100,000, which may disadvantage smaller initiatives.
How much funding has the program distributed in total since its start?
The program has awarded a total of $100 million to over 1,200 projects since its inception in 2013.
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Additional Resources
- Civil Eats: USDA’s Regional Food Business Centers Caught in Federal Funding Freeze
- Wikipedia: Food Security
- Farm Progress: US Risks Food Security by Cutting Agricultural Research Funding, Expert Warns
- Google Search: Agricultural Research Funding
- Brownfield Ag News: Potential Return of RFSI Funding
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Mother Jones: Trump SNAP Cuts Big Beautiful Bill for Food Aid
- Google News: Food Aids
- New York Times: Farmers, Food Bank Budget Cuts
- Google Scholar: Food Bank Funding Cuts
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