Minnesota schools eligible for farm to school grants

By Scout Nelson

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has opened applications for its Farm to School and Early Care Grant and Local Tots Cost-Share Program, offering schools and child care providers new opportunities to serve locally grown food. Together, these initiatives will provide about $1.35 million in funding during fiscal year 2026.

“Farm to School and Early Care is one of our most popular grant programs, and it’s been great to see strong bipartisan support for expanding it,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “This funding not only brings fresh, local foods to students across Minnesota, it also creates real market opportunities for farmers producing everything from fruits and vegetables to cheese, meat, and other specialty crops. It’s a win for kids and a win for Minnesota agriculture.”

There are several funding options available. The First Bite Grant supports K-12 schools and ECE centers that are new to buying local food, with awards ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. The Full Tray Grant is for schools with prior experience and can provide up to $35,000, depending on meal service levels in federal meal programs such as the National School Lunch Program.

The Local Tots Cost-Share Program supports licensed in-home family child care providers. New applicants are not required to provide a cash match, while returning participants must meet a 1:1 match. Average awards are expected to be around $1,000 per provider.

Schools and ECE centers applying for either the First Bite or Full Tray grants can also request up to $25,000 in equipment funding to prepare and serve local foods. This option requires a 1:1 cash match and must be tied to food purchase requests.

Applications will prioritize projects that purchase a variety of foods, including culturally relevant crops like maple syrup, honey, and herbs. The deadline to apply is October 23, 2025, at 4 p.m. Central Time, with full details available on the MDA’s Farm to School and Early Care Programs webpage.

Funding is provided through the MDA’s Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program, which supports Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.

Photo Credit: minnesota-department-of-agriculture