USDA works with states and school nutrition professionals to provide kids with nutritious school meals that support their health and well-being. Learn about the financial support USDA has offered schools across the country since January 2021.
Purchasing Foods
- Nearly $3.8 billion in supply chain assistance funds for schools to purchase domestic foods.
- $1.125 billion to offset emergency operating costs for school lunch during the COVID public health emergency.
- Nearly $178 million for states to purchase local foods for schools through the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program.
Total
$5.1 Billion
Supporting Program Operations
- Provided schools 50 cents more per lunch and 18 cents more per breakfast for school year (SY) 2023-24, compared to last school year's base reimbursement rates, through annual inflation adjustments and supply chain assistance.
- Extra reimbursements of 43-68 cents per lunch and 17-32 cents per breakfast served in SY 2022-23, and reimbursement of seamless summer option meals at the SY 2021-22 SFSP rates.
Sparking Innovation & Modernization
- $140 million for Equipment Assistance Grants to help schools buy kitchen equipment.
- $50 million to increase collaboration between schools, food producers and suppliers, and other partners to develop nutritious, appetizing school meals, through the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative.
- $20 million for School Breakfast Program Expansion Grants to grow school breakfast programs in the U.S. states and territories.
Total
$210 Million
Improving Meal Quality
- $34 million to provide nutritious, local foods and agricultural education through expanded Farm to School engagement.
- $30 million to improve the nutritional quality of meals at 264 small and/or rural school districts, through the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative.
- Nearly $18 million in Team Nutrition Training Grants to support nutrition education and training for schools.
Total
$82 Million