'Make America Healthy Event' With RFK Jr. Held In Alexandria School

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Two Trump administration officials chose an Alexandria public school for a "Make America Healthy Again" event last Thursday focused on the impact of federally-funded nutrition programs.

According to a news release from USDA, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins collaborated on their first public "Make America Healthy Again" event at Alexandria's Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School. Alexandria City Public Schools said in a statement that USDA and HHS had requested the visit. USDA is primarily responsible for funding school nutrition programs providing free or low-cost meals to eligible students.

"We are hopeful that this visit further reinforces the importance of continuing strong federal support for universal school meals and after-school nutrition programs," ACPS said in a statement.

The two federal officials joined a healthy snack time with students and met with staff during the visit. ACPS said it showcased its school nutrition programs and how they benefit student well-being and success. Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School is one of 12 ACPS schools in the Community Eligibility Provision Program, which provides free meals to all students. Other schools provide free or reduced price meals for students in households meeting income requirements.

Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School is also one of three Community Eligibility Provision Program schools at ACPS with a Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program, providing students access to fresh produce.

Amid the public school visit, Kennedy urged states to ban ultra-processed foods and dyes in public schools, as well as remove soda from SNAP programs through a USDA waiver.

The visit came after Kennedy announced plans to downsize and remodel HHS, with an estimated 10,000 layoffs and 10,000 employee buyouts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.