Home » Latest News » USDA Extends Local Food for Schools Funding: A Game-Changer for Our Communities
Profile picture for Melissa Motejunas. Holding a floret of broccoli in a Harvesting Good sweatshirt.

Melissa Motejunas, Director of Sales and Marketing

Great news for schools, farmers, and food advocates! The USDA has extended its Local Food for Schools (LFS) funding program, offering schools an incredible opportunity to purchase local, fresh, and minimally processed foods for their meal programs. This initiative strengthens farm-to-school efforts while addressing food security and supporting local agricultural economies.

What This Means for Your School

The extended funding ensures that schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs can access a share of $471.5 million earmarked for purchasing domestically grown foods. This funding directly supports your ability to bring farm-fresh goodness to the cafeteria while fostering relationships with local growers.

Additionally, $188.6 million has been dedicated to childcare facilities participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, further extending the impact to younger children in our communities.

Benefits of Participating
  • Support local farmers: Strengthen your community’s agricultural economy.
  • Healthier meals: Provide students with fresher, more nutritious options.
  • Reduce food miles: Promote sustainability by sourcing food closer to home.
  • Equity-focused support: Access funding specifically set aside for underserved communities and tribal governments.
How to Apply

Schools and child care facilities interested in these funds can contact their state’s Department of Education or Department of Agriculture to determine how their state is allocating funding. Most states are using cooperative agreements to streamline the process.

Who to Contact

To get started, contact your state agency that oversees child nutrition programs. For additional questions or support, you can also contact the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service directly:

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has detailed resources to help guide applicants through the process. Visit the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program page for more information and application guidance:
Learn more about LFS