Trump administration rolls out new school nutrition plan emphasizing real food
The USDA and HHS have launched the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines, urging schools to serve whole, minimally processed meals and reintroducing whole milk.
The Trump administration, through USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services, introduced the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which translate decades of research into practical advice for healthier eating across all ages. Central to the plan is a push for whole, minimally processed foods in school cafeterias and the return of whole milk after a decade-long absence. States and districts may voluntarily commit via the State Early Action Pledge to adopt these standards for the upcoming school year.
The USDA’s Farm to School Grant Program received almost $20 million in recent funding, supporting projects like the Powered by Protein initiative that connects school districts with local beef, pork, and poultry producers. These efforts are presented as a way to boost child nutrition while supporting American farmers and rural economies.
Why it matters
Improving school meals can address rising child health issues and strengthen local agriculture.
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