WASHINGTON—A historic investment by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is helping connect more Virginia students to agriculture by building healthier communities and lifelong learning opportunities.

Virginia will benefit from a record-breaking $14.3 million investment in Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants awarded to 154 projects in 43 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. These funds will help 1.9 million children eat more nutritious foods in schools while supporting farmers in their communities.

“Farm to school is a huge win for children, schools, farmers, producers and communities,” said USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “When schools have access to fresh, local food options with homegrown flavor, they can serve delicious, healthy dishes that kids are excited to eat, while also supporting the local economy.”

Farm-to-school programs help child nutrition program operators incorporate local foods into meals served through USDA’s National School Lunch Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids. They also create opportunities for students to learn about nutrition and agriculture through hands-on experiences.

“When we support children in establishing good eating habits, we’re setting them up to reach their full potential,” said Cindy Long, USDA food and nutrition service administrator.

Since the program’s inception in 2013, USDA has awarded more than $98 million in Farm to School Grants, funding more than 1,200 projects that have reached more than 28 million students.

“These grants continue our work to address both food insecurity and nutrition insecurity, ensuring that we’re not only feeding kids, we’re feeding them well,” Vilsack added.

Virginia’s 2024 recipients are Healthy Harvest Food Bank, Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission, United Charitable and the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Foundation.

Funding will help launch the Healthy Harvest Fresh regional farm-to-school initiative in the Northern Neck and Upper Middle Peninsula. The aquaponics production facility will provide fresh greens to schools and offer students a cross-curricular educational program.

The investment also will help implement the Rappahannock-Rapidan Farm to School Gap Analysis and Pilot Program, which aims to use Carver Food Enterprise Center’s commercial kitchen for a monthly delivery of local, healthy entrees or side dishes to students in Rappahannock County Public Schools.

Funding awarded to United Charitable in Ashburn will aid ReTreeUS in a multi-state effort to implement school orchard programs. The project aims to enhance student access to local produce and agricultural education opportunities in school orchards.

The Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton will partner with VSDB Foundation to enhance the school’s edible school garden. The project increases students’ access to local foods, advances educational opportunities and improves comprehension of classroom concepts through agricultural innovation.

For more information on the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program, visit fns.usda.gov/f2s/farm-to-school.

Media: Contact USDA Press at press@usda.gov.