BROOKE ROLLINS, DR. BEN CARSON: We are putting real food back on school lunch trays

America has long been known as a land of opportunity. Its a place where every child, no matter where they were born or the circumstances they face, has the chance to chase their God-given potential. Whether you grew up on a farm in rural Texas or in the inner city of Detroit, America is a place that has always shown that with hard work, determination and the freedom to dream, there is no limit to what a person can achieve.

But along the way, there are certain habits that fuel our endurance or restrain it. And a big contributor to how effectively we can chase those dreams is our health.

In recent years, its no secret that America has been battling a chronic health crisis. The Centers for Disease Control reports that more than 75% of adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic health condition. And a recent study indicates poor health trends among children have worsened significantly over the past 20 years. The data shows that poor nutrition is among the causes of these startling health statistics.

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But there is good news — the Trump administration is working to change this trend. We know that good health starts with good nutrition, so to springboard the effort to Make America Healthy Again, USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services jointly introduced the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans earlier this year.

Relying on gold standard science, the Dietary Guidelines translate decades of nutrition research into practical recommendations that promote health across every stage of life.

The goal is simple: eat real food. It is well known that highly processed sugary foods can make the body feel sluggish and sick. Although they feed cravings, they dont do much for the development of growing minds and bodies. On the other hand, whole, nutrient-dense foods are minimally processed and provide nourishment and the real fuel that growing kids need.

Thats why the Trump administration is partnering with states and local school districts to implement innovative ways to get whole, nutrient-dense foods to our kids. Through the State Early Action Pledge, states and local school districts across the country are voluntarily implementing one or more of the healthy options outlined in the updated Dietary Guidelines in the new school year — including serving whole milk to kids for the first time in more than a decade!

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Of course, Americas farmers and ranchers are also an essential part of feeding flourishing families. Every healthy school meal begins with the hardworking producers who grow our fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and protein. By strengthening the connection between schools and local agriculture, we support both childrens health and rural economies.

USDAs Farm to School Grant Program, which awarded two cohorts totaling nearly $20 million in the last three months, connects farmers to children by incorporatin