School food waste reduction grant program

(a) In general Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) is amended by inserting before subsection (b) the following: (a) School food waste reduction grant program (1) Definition of eligible local educational agency In this subsection, the term eligible local educational agency means a local educational agency that participates in— (A) the school lunch program under this Act; or (B) the school breakfast program established under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773). (2) Establishment The Secretary shall carry out a program to make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible local educational agencies to carry out food waste measurement, prevention, education, and reduction projects. (3) Regional balance In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure— (A) that a grant is awarded to an eligible local educational agency in each region served by the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service; and (B) equitable treatment of rural, urban, and Tribal communities. (4) Grants (A) Application To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an eligible local educational agency shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (B) Priority In making grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible local educational agency that demonstrates in the application submitted under subparagraph (A) that the grant will be used— (i) to carry out experiential education activities that encourage children enrolled in the eligible local educational agency to participate in food waste measurement and education; (ii) to prioritize the best use of food in accordance with the Wasted Food Scale published by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; (iii) with respect to food waste prevention and reduction, to collaborate with other eligible local educational agencies, Indian Tribes, food service employees, local health departments, school administrations, nongovernmental and community-based organizations, and other community partners; (iv) to establish a food waste measurement, prevention, and reduction project with long-term sustainability; and (v) to evaluate the activities described in clauses (i) through (iv) and make evaluation plans. (C) Use of funds An eligible local educational agency that receives a grant under this subsection shall use the grant to carry out 1 or more of the following activities: (i) Planning a food waste measurement, prevention, and reduction project. (ii) Implementing a food waste measurement, prevention, and reduction project. (iii) Providing training to support a food waste measurement, prevention, and reduction project. (iv) Purchasing refrigeration or storage equipment to support a food waste measurement, prevention, and reduction project. (v) Offering food waste education to students enrolled in the eligible local educational agency. (D) Cost sharing (i) In general The amount of a grant provided under this subsection shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the project for which the grant is provided. (ii) Non-Federal share An eligible local educational agency that receives a grant under this subsection shall use non-Federal funds in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, including facilities, equipment, or services provided by State and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private sources, to pay for the remaining cost of the project for which the grant is provided. (5) Evaluation (A) Cooperation As a condition of receiving a grant under this subsection, each eligible local educational agency shall agree to cooperate in an evaluation by the Secretary of the project carried out by the eligible local educational agency as part of the evaluation conducted by the Secretary under subparagraph (B). (B) Periodic evaluation Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall evaluate the grants provided under this subsection during the preceding 2-year period, including— (i) the amount of Federal funds used to award those grants; and (ii) an evaluation of the outcomes of the projects carried out using those grants. (C) Report The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the results of each evaluation carried out under subparagraph (B).. (b) Technical assistance Section 21(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769b–1(b)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2), by striking and at the end; (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (4) food waste measurement, prevention, and reduction..