The Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards are supported through a cooperative agreement with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service and administered by Action for Healthy Kids. This initiative recognizes School Food Authorities (SFAs) that have implemented effective strategies to improve the nutritional quality of school meals and engage students and families in healthy eating practices. These awards are part of the USDA's broader effort to support healthier food environments in schools across the country.
The program includes several award categories such as Trailblazer Awards for reducing sodium or added sugars in school meals, and Innovation Awards for creative nutrition education or meal preparation practices. Examples include using scratch-cooked meals with locally sourced ingredients or conducting student-led meal planning and taste testing activities. Awards aim to spotlight incremental and innovative improvements aligned with the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Award benefits do not include direct monetary grants but offer recognition via USDA and AFHK platforms, free participation in a national summit, a promotional toolkit, and networking opportunities. The awards are non-monetary but prestigious and designed to amplify successful school nutrition strategies.
Eligible applicants are SFAs operating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or School Breakfast Program (SBP) across all U.S. states, including territories like Puerto Rico and Guam. Applicants must not have unresolved corrective actions and must show documentation of compliant implementation practices. Small and/or rural SFAs may be eligible for specific subcategories.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from June 30, 2023, through June 30, 2025. Applicants can apply for multiple awards but may receive each only once. Required documentation varies by award but may include menus, strategy descriptions, engagement reports, and high-resolution images.
Support is available via email at awards@healthymealsincentives.org. While there are no required pre-application steps or deadlines, applicants should review award criteria closely and prepare necessary documentation in advance. Award decisions are communicated within two months of application submission.
Review award-specific criteria carefully. Include NCES-based eligibility proof for rural/small categories.
