H.R. 5255 — Thriving Community Gardens Act

This section revises allowable activities under the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants program (Title IV-A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) by expanding programs supporting a healthy, active lifestyle to include (I) nutritional education and regular, structured physical education activities and programs that may address chronic disease management with instruction led by school nurses, nurse practitioners, or other appropriate specialists or professionals to help maintain student well-being; and (II) the development and maintenance of school or community gardens.

This section directs the Secretary of Education to (1) regularly collect information from local educational agencies using funds under section 4108 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7118)—which authorizes comprehensive student support programs including drug and violence prevention, mental health services, and healthy lifestyle activities—to develop and maintain community gardens; (2) identify best practices for such community gardens; and (3) publish and regularly update those best practices on a public Department of Education website.