Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits Austin school, protest | Photos

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Cunningham Elementary School in Austin to tour the cafeteria and learn about Austin ISD’s school lunch program. Inside the kitchen, district leaders highlighted their decade-long effort to prioritize scratch cooking, locally sourced ingredients and reduced waste, showcasing colorful trays of fruits and vegetables prepared for students.

Kennedy praised the district’s approach and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and his "Make America Health Again" initiative, saying, "American children are not as healthy as they should be."

Outside the campus, about 30 parents and community members gathered to protest the visit, voicing concerns about Kennedy’s anti-vaccination views and broader health policies.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., center, helps serve lunch with cafeteria manager Samantha Atkins-Estrada and Austin ISD Executive Director of Food Service and Warehouse Operations Ryan Mikolayciok during a tour of the kitchen at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Kennedy visited the campus to discuss federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., center, listens to Austin ISD Executive Director of Food Service and Warehouse Operations Ryan Mikolayciok and AISD Executive Chef Diane Grodek during a tour of the kitchen at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Kennedy visited the campus to discuss federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Sarah Espiritu, center, demonstrates outside Cunningham Elementary School during a visit by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. During the visit, Kennedy toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. washes his hands before helping to serve lunch during a tour of the kitchen at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Kennedy visited the campus to discuss federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. puts on his apron before helping to serve lunch during a tour of the kitchen at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Kennedy visited the campus to discuss federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits students during lunch in the cafeteria at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. He toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits students during lunch in the cafeteria at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. He toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits students during lunch in the cafeteria at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. He toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

A protester who asked to be identified only as J.R. demonstrates outside Cunningham Elementary School during a visit by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. During the visit, Kennedy toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Austin ISD Director of Food Service Operations Linley Danner hangs a poster in the cafeteria ahead of a visit by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. During the visit, Kennedy toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., center, arrives for a visit at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. During the visit, he toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., center, arrives for a visit at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. During the visit, he toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. greets Principal Stacy Foss as he arrives for a visit at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. During the visit, he toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Catharine Wall demonstrates outside Cunningham Elementary School during a visit by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. During the visit, Kennedy toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., center, listens to Austin ISD Executive Director of Food Service and Warehouse Operations Ryan Mikolayciok and AISD Executive Chef Diane Grodek during a tour of the kitchen at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Kennedy visited the campus to discuss federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Vegetables are offered in the lunch line at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy during a visit to the campus.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tours the kitchen at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Kennedy visited the campus to discuss federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The lunch menu is displayed in the kitchen at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits students during lunch in the cafeteria at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. He toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Jenny Medford demonstrates outside Cunningham Elementary School during a visit by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. During the visit, Kennedy toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., right, listens to Austin ISD Executive Director of Food Service and Warehouse Operations Ryan Mikolayciok during a tour of the kitchen at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Kennedy visited the campus to discuss federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits students during lunch in the cafeteria at Cunningham Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. He toured the school’s kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Feb 27, 2026