Release No. 0158.09

Contact: Jean Daniel 703-305-2281

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Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Grants
To Strengthen National School Meals Programs  

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced more than $300,000 in grant awards to eight state agencies to conduct administrative reviews of school meals programs. The Administrative Review and Training Grants support states in their efforts to increase operational accuracy in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.

"The National School Lunch and Breakfast programs are essential to the well-being of our children, especially among those that are nutritionally at risk," said Secretary Vilsack. "This effort will help states enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of these critical programs so that benefits are provided to needy children in the best way possible."

During the two-year grant period, states will conduct targeted administrative reviews of school food authorities that have had or are likely to experience high level of risk or error in program operations. In these reviews, states will examine application, certification, verification, meal counting and meal claiming procedures.

Of the eight states that applied for grants, all were funded.

USDA's School Lunch and Breakfast programs are among 15 nutrition-assistance programs that together comprise the nation's food safety net, which also includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

More information on the Administrative Review and Training Grants is available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm.

Last modified: 05/21/2009