School districts and dining facilities will benefit from a $26 million USDA grant aimed at improving children’s nutrition.
Approximately $6.5 million in School Lunch System Reform Challenge Grants will be provided to: Supporting market linkages through food procurement, Awarded to Boise State University and the Chef Ann Foundation According to a Food and Nutrition Service press release:The funding will help establish fresh produce partnerships between school districts, producers and food buying cooperatives.
Additionally, $10 million will be provided to states to improve food safety in schools through equipment assistance grants. The program will select eligible school districts to receive funding to improve food safety, expand school breakfasts or introduce home-cooked meals.
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USDA also announced it is accepting applications for $9.6 million in Team Nutrition Training Grants to promote best practices among nutrition and food preparation professionals. States can apply for grants of up to $800,000.
“School meals are critical to the health and well-being of our nation’s children, and we have a responsibility to provide the highest quality school meal service,” said Kumar Chandran, Acting Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.
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