The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) recently unveiled two grants aimed at amplifying the use of local foods in Farm to School and Early Care programs. With an impressive budget of $935,000, this initiative primarily targets school districts and early childhood education (ECE) centers to include more Minnesota-sourced foods in their meal programs.
MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen highlighted the benefits of local foods in Minnesota school meals, emphasizing the importance of expanding to early childhood centers. This year, ECE centers joined the program's beneficiaries, enhancing its reach.
The grant offerings are twofold:
Farm to School and Early Care First Bite Grant: Tailored for establishments new to local procurement, this grant provides a learning opportunity. Entities can apply for amounts ranging between $2,500 and $5,000 without the necessity of a matching fund.
Farm to School and Early Care Full Tray Grant: This is for those with some prior experience in local food procurement. Based on their meal servings from October 2022, entities can seek up to $35,000. This grant requires a 1:1 match.
Apart from food funds, both grants offer up to $25,000 for equipment essential for the Farm to School and Early Care initiatives. Notably, there's a 1:1 match requirement for equipment-related funds. Pure equipment funding applications won't be entertained.
All grant applications are due by 4 p.m. on November 2, 2023. For comprehensive details on eligibility and applications, individuals are directed to the respective grant webpages -
First Bite Grant
Full Try Grant.
Photo Credit: shutterstock-alex-brylov
Categories: Minnesota, Education, Equipment & Machinery