In accordance with the USDA Healthy Meals Incentive Initiative, Action for Healthy Kids program, the Agency will award $30 million in subgrants to 264 school districts in 44 states.  Funds will be supplied through the USDA Food and Nutrition Services. 

Each small rural school district selected will receive up to $150,000 to support improvements in nutritional quality of servings and modernization of operations.  Funds can be assigned for staff training, kitchen updates and support services from school nutrition professionals.

Stacy Dean, USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services stated, “When we strengthen school meal quality, we strengthen child health.”  She added, “These grants serve the largest targeted investment USDA has made for school meal programs in small and rural communities.”