Minnesota Schools Fuel Local Food Growth

By Scout Nelson

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) expanded its Farm to School Grant Program in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) with help from the USDA’s Local Food for Schools (LFS) Cooperative Agreement Program. These federal funds allowed schools across Minnesota to purchase local foods, strengthen school meal programs, and support local economies.

In FY23, the MDA received over $5.3 million in requests and awarded $3.46 million in local food purchase grants. An additional $769,714 was distributed through kitchen equipment grants using state funds. Schools used these funds to buy locally grown or raised foods to serve in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Grants were offered in two categories: First Bite and Full Tray. The first Bite was for new schools, while Full Tray supported experienced students. A total of 111 schools participated, with 55 receiving First Bite grants and 56 receiving Full Tray grants.

Over 75% of grant money supported small businesses, and nearly 20% benefited socially disadvantaged producers. Most purchases (63%) were made directly from local farmers or food hubs, while 24% came through wholesale distributors. In total, 501 local vendors supplied products—up from just 58 in previous years.

The economic impact was significant. The $3.37 million spent through the program generated an additional $3.16 million in economic activity in Minnesota. This included the creation of 16 new full-time jobs and over $1.1 million in added labor income.

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, this growth reflects both direct impacts from school spending and ripple effects from supplier and employee spending in the wider economy.

Through strong collaboration and targeted funding, Minnesota’s Farm to School grants helped build a more resilient and equitable local food system in 2023.

Photo Credit:minnesota-department-of-agriculture