Washington, D.C., September 13, 2025
News Summary
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a record investment of $18 million for the Farm to School Grant Program. This funding aims to enhance school nutrition and support small family farms, despite concerns over recent cuts that affected prior funding. Changes to the program focus on fewer, larger projects, raising questions about the impact on smaller applicants. Stakeholders urge the USDA to consider diverse needs in future funding adjustments.
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. This amount marks the largest single-year investment in the program since its inception over a decade ago.
The announcement was made by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who also outlined significant changes to the grant program that aim to streamline the application process. The new framework will now focus on fewer, but larger projects. This shift could potentially benefit larger entities while posing challenges for smaller projects.
Despite this recent funding boost, skepticism remains regarding whether it will adequately compensate for the $10 million cut in funding that occurred in March 2025. This earlier cut affected schools and organizations that had already submitted applications for the withdrawn grants. Experts have expressed concern that the new funding will not sufficiently offset the challenges many schools are currently facing in sourcing local food.
The farm-to-school grant program has been operational since the passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act by former President Barack Obama in 2010. Since then, more than $100 million has been awarded across over 1,200 projects aimed at increasing access to fresh and local food within schools. Initially set at $5 million annually, the program has received consistent support from Congress, with additional funding allocated in subsequent years.
In Rollins’ announcement, emphasis was placed on the belief that these grants would enhance the reach and benefits of small family farms, while also improving student access to nutritious foods. However, the new grant structures require partnerships, setting a minimum grant award of $100,000, which will likely disadvantage smaller entities that previously pursued grants under $50,000 for projects like school gardens.
Significantly, the program has consolidated its seven grant categories into one and eliminated a scoring system that previously favored equitable distribution of funds to underserved communities. This aspect has raised alarms among experts and advocacy groups regarding the potential regression of gains made in school nutrition over the years.
Experts such as those from the National Farm to School Network advocate for a careful review of the program’s requirements. While the continuation of funding is a positive development, they indicate that the loss of support for crucial programs like SNAP-Ed and the Local Food for Schools initiative will impact the overall effectiveness of farm-to-school policies.
In light of these developments, stakeholders involved in farm-to-school initiatives are calling for the USDA to consider the needs of farmers and school food service directors in any future modifications to funding programs. As of now, the USDA has not publicly addressed inquiries about the implications of these funding changes or their overall strategic direction regarding local food sourcing initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program?
The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program is a USDA initiative designed to help schools source fresh, local food and promote healthy eating among students. It was established under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.
How much funding has been allocated for the 2026 grant program?
The USDA has announced a funding amount of $18 million for the 2026 farm-to-school grant program, making it the largest single-year investment in the program to date.
What are the changes implemented in the grant application process?
The changes include a focus on fewer but larger projects, a minimum grant award of $100,000, the need for partnerships, and the consolidation of grant categories, which could affect smaller projects and equitable funding distributions.
Key Features of the USDA Farm to School Grant Program
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026 Funding Amount | $18 million |
| Largest Investment | Largest single-year investment in the program’s history |
| Program Changes | Fewer, larger projects with a minimum grant of $100,000 |
| Previous Cuts | $10 million cut in March 2025 affecting prior applicants |
| Funding History | Total of over $100 million awarded since 2013 |
| Initial Funding | Started at $5 million annually, supplemented over the years |
| Target Beneficiaries | Small family farms and school nutrition improvement |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
University of Arizona Cuts 43 Jobs Due to SNAP-Ed Funding Loss
Jim Hartnett Elected as Fellow of American College of Construction Lawyers
Phoenix Construction Market Sees Targeted Growth Amid Tariff Pressures
Phoenix Weekend Events: September 5-7 Highlights
Challenges in Virginia’s Construction Industry
Phoenix Hotel to Close, Ending an Era for San Francisco
Opposition Grows Against Phoenix Rail Hub Project
Governor Condemns ICE Operations Near Valley Schools
Metro Phoenix’s Fall Concert and Event Lineup
Action-Packed Weekend in Phoenix with Sports and Music
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
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
