The resources featured on this page can help tribal schools, childcare programs, and early learning providers offer healthy foods and educate children about nutrition.
Financial Support: Federal Programs and Grants
Indian Health Service (IHS): Healthy Lifestyles in Youth (HLY) Program
The IHS Healthy Lifestyles in Youth (HLY) Program provides funds for diabetes and obesity prevention activities for youth at Native Boys & Girls Clubs.
Together Raising Awareness for Indian Life (TRAIL) Program
Native Boys & Girls Club grantees provide the Together Raising Awareness for Indian Life (TRAIL) Program. TRAIL is a comprehensive curriculum that includes physical, educational, and nutritional activities to promote healthy lifestyles for AI/AN youth.
The TRAIL curriculum integrates tribal traditions and history related to nutrition, food choices, media influences, and the impact of type 2 diabetes. The program includes positive self-esteem activities and emphasizes the importance of teamwork and community service. The program has served over 22,144 AI/AN youth since 2003 and is currently offered at 85 Native Boys & Girls Clubs sites in 14 states.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP)
Tribal childcare and early learning providers can participate in USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). CACFP provides cash reimbursement for nutritious meals and snacks served to eligible children and adults. CACFP also provides reimbursements for meals served to children and youth participating in afterschool care programs and children residing in emergency shelters. Additionally, CACFP funds can be used to purchase and grow local foods.
USDA: Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows eligible schools to offer no-cost breakfasts and lunches to students each school day. Tribal leaders are encouraged to consider adopting CEP to ensure that all students have an opportunity to enter classrooms well-nourished and ready to learn.
USDA: Farm to School Grant Program
Tribal childcare and early learning providers may be eligible for USDA’s Farm to School Grant Program, which offers annual grants to eligible schools, childcare and summer institutions, state and local agencies, Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs), agricultural producers, and nonprofits that support planning, developing, and implementing farm to school programs. “Farm to school” refers to efforts that bring locally or regionally produced foods into schools and childcare settings, including:
- Sourcing local foods for Child Nutrition Programs
- Providing hands-on learning activities such as school gardening, farm visits, and culinary classes
- Integrating experiential nutrition education activities into a standards-based classroom curriculum
Learn about the Farm to Preschool Program.
USDA: Healthy Meals Incentives Grants for Small and/or Rural School Authorities (SFA)
The Healthy Meals Incentives Grants for Small and/or Rural School Authorities (SFA) will help to improve the nutritional content of school meals. SFAs serving tribal populations are encouraged to apply for sub-grant funding to ensure that meals meet nutritional standards and are culturally appropriate for tribal populations. Learn more about the Heathy Meals Incentives Grants.
School Food System Transformation Challenge Grants
The School Food System Transformation Challenge Grants will support the development of innovative solutions for K-12 food service transformation. Through partnerships between various entities, the goal is to create a resilient, equitable, and nutritious school food system.
As part of these grants, grantees will work with agricultural producers, growers, processors, and others to develop creative solutions to provide nutritious foods for school meals. SFAs and other entities supporting tribal schools are encouraged to apply for these grants to increase the supply chain of healthy and culturally appropriate foods for schools serving tribal populations.
USDA: National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
Tribally run schools and schools serving tribal populations can support children’s academic success by ensuring students have access to nourishing meals each school day through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
USDA: Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
During the summer months, when school is not in session, children up to age 18 years may access no-cost meals through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) at approved sites. Tribal governments and School Food Authorities (SFAs) may sponsor SFSP sites if other eligibility requirements are met.
Federal Initiatives and Projects
USDA: Team Nutrition
USDA's Team Nutrition includes foods commonly consumed by tribal communities in food yield studies to ensure that they are included in the Food Buying Guide (FBG). With this approach, program operators in schools serving tribal populations can easily incorporate these foods into their menus.
