The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is investing millions of dollars into healthier school lunches
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced the Developing Evidence for Programs to Ensure Nutrition for Development (DEPEND) initiative Wednesday morning during a visit to Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary School
Federal health officials say DEPEND will make funding available for schools to test new ways to serve more nutritious food to children
Advertisement
The program will start with $32.5 million in total funds. Individual schools or districts may be awarded anywhere from $75,000 to $2.5 million
“Millions of American children depend on school meals every day, and we will not spend taxpayer dollars on food that undermines their health,” Secretary Kennedy said in a statement. “DEPEND will give schools the tools to replace highly processed foods with real, nutrient-dense food — and use rigorous science to prove what works.”
Health officials say ideas that are proven to work in one school may be implemented in other schools
The first round of funds is expected to be awarded in October. Schools and districts can submit their proposals now
