Food Crops Background
FoodCorps Encouraged by USDA and HHS ‘Harvest to Hallways’ Initiative
The program will invest millions in school food improvements.
FoodCorps Encouraged by USDA and HHS ‘Harvest to Hallways’ Initiative
WASHINGTON, DC (August 24, 2026) — FoodCorps is glad to see today’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launching “Harvest to Hallways,” an up to $105 million investment in school cafeterias, local food procurement, and farm to school.
FoodCorps advocates for policies supporting sustainable school meal supply chains, farm to school efforts, local procurement, and other initiatives that get more nourishing school meals on students’ plates. The investments announced today align closely with FoodCorps’ policy priorities.
Mickeala Carter, Vice President of Policy and Communications at FoodCorps, shared the following:
“We are encouraged by USDA and HHS’s Harvest to Hallways initiative and its renewed focus on strengthening school meals through investments in local food, farm to school, and school kitchen infrastructure. These are among FoodCorps’ top priority areas in ensuring every child can access nourishing, free meals and food education in school.
Having spent 15 years working alongside school nutrition leaders in communities across the country, FoodCorps knows that improving school meals requires investment across the entire system. Schools need access to high-quality ingredients, but they also need modern kitchen equipment and facilities; a well-supported, thoroughly trained school nutrition workforce; and procurement tools that make it easier to source fresh and locally produced foods.
When these pieces work together, schools are better positioned to prepare meals from scratch, strengthen regional food systems, and serve nutritious meals that kids are excited to eat. Furthermore, in an era where millions of families are struggling to afford food — and fewer families have access to SNAP — it’s crucial that kids can count on energizing, nutrient-rich meals at school.
We are particularly heartened to see investments in school kitchen infrastructure and farm to school, alongside efforts to make the most of existing local procurement options. We look forward to lending our expertise to ensure these initiatives reflect what school nutrition programs really need, and that they deliver meaningful, sustainable benefits for our nation’s children.”
About FoodCorps
For 15 years, FoodCorps has championed child well-being through food in school. As a national nonprofit, FoodCorps works with students, families, and communities to make nourishing food the norm in cafeterias, classrooms, and school gardens. In collaboration with local partners, we build schools’ capacity to provide nutritious meals, locally informed food education, and positive, vibrant experiences with food. Building on our school programming, we develop leaders, grow networks, and advocate for policies in service of every kid’s health and well-being. FoodCorps is working toward a future where all 50 million public school students access food education and nourishing, free meals in school. Join us in transforming the school food system at www.foodcorps.org.
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