Key Takeaways
- Farm to School: USDA added more than $27 million in Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants on Oct. 30, 2026, bringing 2026 to more than $47 million across 149 projects, the largest annual investment in the program's history.
- School kitchens: USDA also made an additional $50 million in National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants available to state agencies for cafeteria upgrades such as cold storage and stoves.
- WYDE's count: October's round added 81 projects to the 68 USDA reported in July, more than doubling the year's total.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture added more than $27 million in Farm to School grants on Oct. 30, 2026, bringing Farm to School grants in 2026 to more than $47 million across 149 projects, and made another $50 million available for school cafeteria equipment.
What the Farm to School Grants and $50 Million for School Kitchens Pay For
Together, the two investments will help schools buy more local foods, strengthen partnerships with farmers and producers, connect children to nutrition and agricultural education, and modernize cafeteria infrastructure, according to USDA's Oct. 30 release. The National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants give state agencies non-competitive funding for cafeteria upgrades, including cold storage, stoves and other equipment that helps schools prepare and serve fresh, locally sourced foods. The equipment money builds on awards USDA announced in August. Project descriptions for all of this year's Farm to School grantees are on USDA's Farm to School website.
Both are part of Harvest to Hallways, USDA's initiative to expand connections between American agriculture and school meals. "Every child deserves real, nutritious food grown by American farmers and ranchers on their lunch tray, and that is exactly what Harvest to Hallways delivers," said Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. "Making America Healthy Again starts with what we put on our children's plates," said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Farm to School Grants 2026: From 68 Projects in July to 149
In July, USDA said it had awarded nearly $20 million to 68 projects in 2026, across cohorts announced in April and July, according to its July 7 release. The October round brings the year to more than $47 million across 149 projects, so it added 81 projects and more than doubled the year's count, by WYDE's arithmetic. MyChesCo totals the two October investments at more than $77 million.
Since the program launched in 2013, USDA had awarded more than $119 million in Farm to School grants for more than 1,265 projects across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico as of July. Adding October's more than $27 million puts the program above $146 million, so 2026 alone accounts for roughly a third of all Farm to School grant money, by WYDE's arithmetic.
Why 2026's Farm to School Grants Are Larger Per Project
USDA said in July that it had reimagined the 2026 Farm to School Grant program to prioritize innovative, large-scale projects built on strong partnerships. The awards reflect that: 2026's grants average about $315,000 per project, against about $94,000 per project across the program's history through July, by WYDE's arithmetic. The equipment grants work differently: they go to state agencies as non-competitive funding rather than through an application contest.
People Also Ask
How much did USDA award in Farm to School grants in 2026?
USDA has awarded more than $47 million in Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants across 149 projects in 2026, the largest annual investment in the program's history, after adding more than $27 million on Oct. 30, 2026.
What are NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants?
National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants give state agencies non-competitive funding for school cafeteria upgrades such as cold storage and stoves. USDA made an additional $50 million in NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants available on Oct. 30, 2026.
What is USDA's Harvest to Hallways initiative?
Harvest to Hallways is USDA's initiative to expand connections between American agriculture and school meals. USDA says Harvest to Hallways includes the Farm to School grants and the NSLP equipment funding that help schools prepare and serve fresh, locally sourced foods.
How many Farm to School projects has USDA funded?
USDA said in July that it had funded more than 1,265 Farm to School projects since the program launched in 2013. Its 2026 Farm to School grants cover 149 projects, the largest annual investment in the program's history.
Sources: USDA, USDA (July 7), MyChesCo.