USDA and HHS Secretaries Launch 'Healthy Snack Time' Initiative in Virginia Schools

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. introduced a new ‘healthy snack time’ initiative at a Virginia elementary school, marking the first public event of the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ (MAHA) campaign.

In a pioneering move to enhance children’s health, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia, to launch a ‘healthy snack time’ initiative. This event is the first public activity of the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ (MAHA) campaign, a joint effort by the USDA and HHS to combat diet-related diseases among children.

The MAHA Commission, led by Secretary Kennedy, aims to research and address the high rates of obesity and diabetes in children through revised dietary policies and state-level innovations. The initiative also focuses on reducing regulatory burdens to facilitate healthier school environments. During their visit, the secretaries engaged with students and cafeteria staff to discuss the importance of healthy food choices and overall wellness.

The campaign’s broader goals include promoting whole and healthy foods sourced from local farms, as highlighted by Secretary Rollins, who emphasized the role of American agriculture in solving the nation’s chronic health issues. The MAHA initiative also supports legislative efforts like the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act 2025, which seeks to revise milk requirements in the National School Lunch Program.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has been recognized for his support of the MAHA movement, with several bills in the state aligning with the campaign’s objectives, such as those aimed at banning toxic heavy metals in baby food and color additives in school meals. Secretary Kennedy has called on other governors to follow suit and champion legislation that bans ultra-processed foods and dyes in public schools.