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March 16, 2015 | Volume 4, Issue 6
National Program Continues to Increase Local Foods in Schools and
Provide New Economic Opportunities for Farmers and Ranchers
Agriculture
Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the release of a request for applications
for the USDA's Fiscal Year 2016 round of Farm to School grants. Designed to increase the availability of local
foods in eligible schools, these grants help new farm to school programs get
started or expand existing efforts, facilitating stronger connections between
local and regional producers and school cafeterias.
“When
schools buy food from nearby producers, their purchasing power helps create
local jobs and economic benefits, particularly in rural agricultural
communities," Vilsack said. "These Farm to School grants will help
schools respond to the growing demand for local foods and increase market
opportunities for many types of food producers.”
Four
different kinds of grants are available. Planning grants are for schools or
school districts just getting started on farm to school activities; they’re
designed to help them organize and structure their efforts for maximum impact
by incorporating best practices into early planning considerations. Implementation
grants are available for schools or school districts seeking to augment or
expand existing farm to school efforts. Support service grants are intended for
non-profit entities, Indian tribal organizations, state and local agencies, and
agriculture producers or groups of producers to evolve farm to school
initiatives.
Additionally,
all eligible entities can still apply for funds to support training and technical
assistance, such as local procurement, food safety, culinary education, and
integration of agriculture based curriculum.
Proposals for planning,
implementation, and support service grants are due at 11:59 p.m. EST, May 20,
2015. Letters of intent for training grants are due at 11:59 p.m. EST, April 30,
2015. To assist eligible entities in preparing proposals, USDA will host a
webinar related to the application process on March 25, 2015, 1:00 EST.
“USDA is proud to support
communities across the country as they plan and implement innovative farm to
school projects. Evidence suggests that when kids understand more about where
food comes from and how it is produced, they are more likely to make healthy
eating choices,” said Vilsack.
More information about the
grant program, upcoming webinars relevant to applicants, and sample grant
applications can be found on-line at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/farm-school-grant-program.
The Farm
to School Grant Program is a cornerstone of USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know
Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the Department's work on local and
regional foods. The grants are part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act
(HHFKA), which authorized and funded USDA to assist eligible entities, through
grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm to school programs that
improve access to local foods in eligible schools. The Act provides $5 million
annually to support grants, technical assistance, and the federal
administrative costs related to USDA's Farm to School Program.
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