The USDA is investing $50 million to help expand access to healthy and nutritious school meal programs.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the funds will increase collaboration between schools, food producers, and suppliers. “To be able to understand and connect to provide locally and regionally produced food to urban, suburban, and rural area schools.”

He says one of the grants will be allocated to the Illinois Public Health Institute. “Which will be operating in a four-state area of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana,” Vilsack said.

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