ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — Better school meals are coming to Ithaca.
An FDA grant of $617,770 has been awarded to the Ithaca City School District to improve food quality over a period of two years.
According to a district news release, “Through this project, the ICSD will review and enhance meal offerings across all schools, helping students enjoy healthier, whole food options. In partnership with FDA laboratories, breakfast and lunch items will be collected and analyzed to identify opportunities to transition from ultra-processed foods to whole, scratch-prepared meals. Comparison samples will be collected later in the year to measure the impact of menu changes and guide ongoing improvements.”
“This grant is truly a game changer for the Child Nutrition department,” Beth Krause, Director of Child Nutrition, said. “With this funding, we can expand healthy food offerings for ICSD students, enhance meal quality, and place an even stronger emphasis on whole, nutritious options. The partnership allows us to provide meals that not only taste great but also promote long-term wellness.”
Students in Ithaca receive breakfast and lunch meals for free for the 2025-26 school year through the Community Eligibility Provision under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
