Thanks to support from the USDA's Local Food for Schools program, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded nearly $3.5 million in grant funding to K-12 schools to buy Minnesota grown and raised foods over the next year—this is a great year to connect with new potential customers. In addition, MDA has awarded over $750,000 to K-12 schools to buy kitchen equipment to support their Farm to School programs.
The goals of these Farm to School Grants are to increase the amount of Minnesota grown and raised foods used in school meals, and support market development for socially disadvantaged farmers and small businesses.
Farmers, food hubs, distributors, and other interested partners are invited to attend an informational webinar to learn more about the Farm to School Grant Program and how to work with schools. This webinar is hosted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy.
Connections within the local community are key for making Farm to School work.
Join in a virtual webinar on Farm to School programs March 29 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. for farmers, food hub participants and distributors for better understanding requirements of the AGRI grant to support local producers in having all the information they need to partner with their local school.
Categories: Minnesota, Education, General, Government & Policy