Local Food for Schools report examines USDA federal funding impact

Survey analysis highlights key findings on $200m federal investment, recommendations for improved utility

In a February 2026 report on the Local Food for Schools (LFS) program – the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) $200 million investment in funding for school meals to strengthen local food supply chains – the Center for Good Food Purchasing examines the utilization and impact of LFS funding.

Based on results of a survey completed by 112 school districts across 17 states, as well as a detailed case study from Oregon, the report details how the LFS federal funding was allocated by states to rural, suburban, and urban school districts and utilized to support local purchasing across 11 food categories.

Local Food for Schools funding was found to expand student access to fresher, higher-quality foods and greater menu variety in schools, leveraging existing school meal infrastructure for multiple public benefits. Farmers and food businesses gained access to reliable institutional markets, strengthening local economies and the resiliency of food systems to better serve communities.

Map showing allocation of Local Food for Schools funding to states
Local Food for School Report graphics showing Average Food Spend per Enrolled Student by Locale Type and Local Food for Schools Survey Respondent Grant Amounts

Key Findings

  • Funding enabled higher-quality, local food for students.
  • Temporary funding limits long-term impact.
  • State implementation matters.
  • Smaller and rural districts benefit most per student but face higher barriers due to supply chain gaps.

Recommendations

  • Make LFS funding permanent.
  • Integrate local purchasing into existing USDA programs.
  • Strengthen and expand local supply chains.
  • Identify and promote best practices for LFS distribution and reporting.
  • Increase and better target funding.

This report was made possible by the Federal Good Food Purchasing Coalition.

For more information on the 2026 Local Food for Schools Report, contact Amy Nelms, Policy Manager, at anelms@goodfoodpurchasing.org.
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About the Center for Good Food Purchasing

The Center for Good Food Purchasing uses the power of procurement to create a more transparent and equitable food system that prioritizes the health and wellbeing of people, animals, and the environment. Over 98 public institutions in 39 jurisdictions across the United States have been reached by the Good Food Purchasing Program’s comprehensive metric- and data-driven framework to build a national network of influence and a values-based model for good governance.

The Center’s work with national partners and local grassroots coalitions in cities across the United States continues to build and strengthen a cohesive movement in support of Good Food purchasing and to ground Good Food Purchasing Program efforts in community priorities. Leveraging over $1.2 billion in institutional food purchases to reach over 3 million people to date, the Center empowers diverse movements to change the way food is produced, processed, and distributed and to transform public investment in the true value of good food.