The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, alongside Action for Healthy Kids, awarded Lexington County School District Three with awards for providing nutritious meals.

According to Action for Healthy Kids, nearly one in seven kids live with food insecurity and lack healthy meals. For schools, experts say it’s imperative for them to make a change and offer nutritious meals.

Schools are recognized and praised when they implement innovative strategies to improve school meals.

Lexington Three received the Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award and the Small and/or Rural School Food Authorities  Lunch Trailblazer Award.

The Trailblazer Award highlights the steady modifications in school menus, reducing sodium and added sugar levels in the meals.

Throughout the year, Lexington Three's SFA’s have utilized natural flavor substitutes and substitutes for canned vegetables. Now, they use fresh and locally sourced vegetables in their meals. They additionally source lower-sodium alternatives to students' favorite meals such as potato wedges, baked beans and mashed potatoes.

The Action for Healthy Kids aims to help both schools and families ensure that students have access to nutritious and healthy foods and offer grants to schools.

The grants support the school districts with training programs, kitchen renovations, service spaces and more.

In August 2023, the Action for Healthy Kids announced they have awarded nearly $30 million in subgrants to 264 school districts across 44 states and the District of Columbia.

Lexington Three was awarded $148,500 for equipment, supplies, local agricultural products, student engagement, contract services, staffing and training.