August 31, 2026
Written by Tara Thomas, AESA Senior Government Affairs Manager
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the Harvest to Hallways Initiative to provide new investments and technical assistance for school meal programs. The announcement is the latest step in a broader federal effort to change federal nutrition programs. USDA is also expected to release new school meal regulations in the coming months.
The Harvest to Hallways Initiative includes:
- Support for Local Procurement: USDA will provide specific resources and training to help schools take advantage of the “Local Option” School Procurement Program, an existing procurement pathway that can allow schools to be reimbursed for purchases of locally produced foods. The first two webinars are scheduled for September 9 & 26. More information here.
- Funding for School Kitchen Equipment Grants: USDA will provide $50 million for school cafeteria infrastructure to help qualifying schools purchase equipment such as cold storage and stoves, improve food safety, and establish, maintain, or expand School Breakfast Programs. This is in addition to the existing funding for the National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants Program, totaling $20 million for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. More details on eligibility are forthcoming.
- New School Meal Nutrition Research: HHS will invest $30 million in research to identify practical, cost-effective ways to improve the nutritional quality of school meals and help schools put healthier meals on students’ trays.
- More Farm to School Grants: USDA will invest $25 million in new Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants for FY 2026. These investments help schools incorporate locally produced foods into school nutrition programs while creating new market opportunities for American farmers and ranchers. These funds are in addition to the $18 million Farm to School Grants that were already announced for FY 2026.
- Pledge for Healthier School Meals: USDA and HHS will encourage greater state adoption of the Pledge for Healthier School Meals, which encourages updated nutrition practices aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030 that can be implemented immediately. The pledge asks schools to replace breakfast pastries with whole-food breakfast options, prepare meat using healthy cooking methods, serve 100% whole grain products, improve smart snacks, prioritize whole fruit and serve whole milk. The Chef Ann Foundation has specific resources for schools to help them implement the changes recommended in the pledge. Access them here.