The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program connects farmers to children by incorporating local foods into school meals, summer meals, and child care settings. Now more than ever, we need these kind of federal resources that sprout from initial investments into long-term benefits—building resilient local economies, fostering healthier eating habits in children, and nurturing a culture of local food support that continues to grow long after the grant period ends.
Thanks to discretionary funding from Congress in FY25 and FY26, this April USDA announced it was awarding nearly $20 million to support projects that bring more nutritious, local food to America’s schoolchildren while expanding economic opportunities for farmers and food producers. This competitive grant opportunity drew a record-breaking number of applicants from across the country.
Right now, Congress is considering its priorities for funding government programs in the next fiscal year (FY27). This includes whether to fund or cut critical programs that support farm to school, including the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. Please share with your legislators about the importance of the Farm to School Grant Program, and the critical need to provide robust funding in the coming year.