• Optional FFVP Office Hours: Wednesday, June 3rd, 2- 3pm.

• Optional NCRG Office Hours: Wednesday, May 13th, 2-3pm

Noncompetitive Reimbursement Grant (NCRG)

All eligible NSLP, CACFP, and SFSP CNP sponsors were automatically opted in to receive a Noncompetitive Reimbursement Grant for the 2025-2027 biennium (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2027).

The grant’s start date is retroactive, and claims can be submitted for items purchased back to July 1, 2025.

• Optional Monthly Office Hours: The Farm to CNP team is hosting optional virtual monthly office hours on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Drop in on Wednesday May 13th between 2-3pm to ask questions and get answers to all things NCRG! 

The May office hour will highlight allowable/unallowable items & resources from 2:00-2:30, and claim workbook template review from 2:30-3:00.

The office hours can be joined on Zoom via this link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1618818788

• Curious what other schools are purchasing with their funds? Visit the Farm to CNP Reimbursement Grant webpage for grant resources. Visit the Oregon Harvest for Schools Directory for a directory of Oregon producers ready to sell to schools!

Please let the Farm to CNP team know at FarmtoCNP@ode.oregon.gov if you have any questions.

Competitive Reimbursement Grant

The Competitive Reimbursement Grant (CRG) provides eligible grantees with additional funding beyond their Noncompetitive Reimbursement Grant awards. To be eligible, applicants must have received a Farm to CNP Noncompetitive Reimbursement Grant award and fully expended those funds.

2025-2027 biennium applications are expected to open in Spring 2026. Announcements about CRG applications will be communicated via listserv.

Education Grant

The application period for the 2025–2027 Education Grant RFA is closed. Thank you to all who submitted applications and to the volunteer scorers. Grant award notifications were sent to all grantees on March 4th, 2026. We are excited to announce the 76 grantees of the 25-27 Farm to CNP Education Grant, learn more about the grantees on the Farm to CNP Ed grant webpage.

General Information about this grant program can be found on the Education Grant webpage.

The current grant period is October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. Awardees should submit FFVP claims monthly.

Reminder: Sponsors must download a new FFVP claim form template from the FFVP webpage for each month's FFVP claims. 

Automatic Rollover Eligibility: March was the halfway point of the 2025-2026 FFVP grant period (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026). This is a great time to review FFVP site budgets to ensure they are on track to meet the automatic rollover eligibility requirement.

To be eligible for automatic rollover to the next FFVP grant period (2026-2027), participating FFVP sites must claim at least 70% of their 2025-2026 FFVP award. FFVP sites that claim less than 70% will be required to reapply to participate in the 2026-2027 FFVP grant period.

Considerations for FFVP:

• There are limited instruction days during the summer months and FFVP may only be served during regular school time.
• The FFVP grant period follows the federal fiscal year from October 1st through September 30th, which overlaps two school years.
  • Example: If a site’s school year starts in August 2026, August and September FFVP programming should be included in that site’s 2025-2026 FFVP budget.

Upcoming office hour: Wednesday, June 3rd from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join by following this link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1612293362 Have a FFVP question or topic you'd like to explore or get help on? Send it to ODE.FFVP@ode.oregon.gov and it may be featured in the Bimonthly FFVP open office hours!

Any questions can be sent to us at ODE.FFVP@ode.oregon.gov.

The Oregon Harvest for Schools Award honors Oregon's farm to school community – the growers, educators, food service professionals and advocates who bring innovation and dedication to connecting children with Oregon-grown food. These champions cultivate lasting change by enriching student education and strengthening local food systems. This award celebrates their vision and commitment to ensuring that Oregon's next generation grows up with healthy meals, meaningful food education, and a deeper connection to land and people who feed them.  

Do you know an Oregon farm to school champion whose dedication deserves to be recognized and celebrated? Nominate them for an Oregon Harvest for Schools Award to shine a light on their impact! 

FARM TO SCHOOL PODCAST

New Episodes: There are new episodes of the Farm to School Podcast! Check out the latest Farm to School Podcast episodes below!

In this episode, Michael Rosenberger discusses what excellence in school food service really looks like—and why it matters far beyond the lunch line. From boosting attendance and graduation rates to serving true “brain food” at breakfast, Michael, Rick and Michelle reveal how school meals can be one of a district’s most powerful academic tools. Along the way, explore the hidden pressures of audits, the art of daily readiness, the magic of telling your story before someone else does, and the surprising ways partnerships—yes, even with “frenemies”—can elevate farm to school work. Part pep talk, part playbook, this conversation is a masterclass in leadership, creativity, and why investing in people may just be the ultimate secret ingredient.

You can listen to the episode here.

Wouldn’t that be a great title for a children’s book? In this episode, dive deep—pun absolutely intended—into the world of bay-to-tray (or boat-to-school) with former school nutrition director–turned–seafood innovator Jenn Lovewell. From discovering a fish with no market to building an entirely new supply chain for schools, Jenn shares how solving one small puzzle piece at a time led to a movement that now stretches from Monterey Bay to the Chesapeake. Joined unexpectedly in the hallway by longtime friend and Farm to School leader, Miguel Villarreal, the conversation flows through fish stories, student sustainability clubs, local pride, kitchen staff heritage, and the power of piloting big ideas with courage and heart. It’s a celebration of creativity, community, and the belief that better food—served with love—can change a whole school food system.

You can listen to the episode here.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant awards nearly $20 million to support projects that bring more nutritious, local food to America’s schoolchildren while expanding economic opportunities for farmers and food producers. The USDA announced its FY 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School grantees today, awarding grants to 52 projects - including 2 awards for Oregon programs! ODE Farm to CNP sends our congratulations to these grantees for being recognized on the national level for their Farm to School work. Project descriptions can be found on the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program website.

This new funding search engine tool from the Youth Garden Grantmakers Community of Practice - a network of organizations that fund youth garden programs at the local, regional, and national levels - helps connect garden educators to funding opportunities. 

Check out the Youth Garden Funding Finder here.

When the final bell of the school year rings, the school kitchen doesn't close for summer. Many school districts across Oregon participate in a summer meal program. Summer meal programs operate in high-need areas to ensure that kids have access to nutritious meals and help prevent the “summer slide.”

In urban areas, kids are required to stay on site to have their meal. What a great opportunity to make it a fun experience with activities and events... like garden activities and tastings!

Partnering with summer meal sites can also keep gardens thriving through the summer. The work of garden coordinators is more important than ever, especially with the loss of federal SNAP-ed funding. Whether activities are daily, weekly, or bi-monthly - any amount of programming is generally welcomed. Reach out to your district’s Nutrition Services Department to see how you can get engaged.

If you’re unsure on where to start or want more information on summer meals, please contact to Cathy Brock, Summer Food Service Program Outreach Coordinator, at cathy.brock@ode.oregon.gov.

Local School Wellness Policy Triennial Assessment: From Requirements to Real Life

May 13, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Register Here!

Join the Oregon Healthy Schools team for an engaging training session on conducting your Local School Wellness Policy Triennial Assessment. Featuring guest presenter Kayla Petersen, Wellness Coordinator for Beaverton School District, this session will highlight practical insights from her recently completed districtwide triennial assessment. In this training, we will walk through strategies for organizing the review, gathering the right documentation, collaborating across departments, and developing a final report that is both compliant and meaningful.

This training is designed to support both newcomers and those looking to refine their current process. Participants will gain a clear understanding of compliance expectations, the essential role of Nutrition Services, effective approaches for data collection and reporting, and helpful tools and resources to ensure a smooth and successful review.

Follow this link to register for the webinar. 

Applications are open for Starting From Scratch: A School Food Culinary Intensive, November 6-9 in Boulder, CO.
Over three days, you’ll practice the culinary skills and explore the operational systems needed to transition to a scratch-cooking program. 

School districts that participate in the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program and run a self-operated food service program are eligible to apply. Applications close on May 15, 2026.

The Oregon Farm to School Network is offering three $1,500 travel scholarships to teams of two who apply for/ participate in this Chef Ann Foundation program. Email Melina (melina@oregonfarmtoschool.org) request a travel scholarship.

Learn more and apply on the Chef Ann Foundation Website.

Pilot Light, a nationally-operating Food Education nonprofit, launched their 8th annual Food Education Fellowship which is a year-long paid fellowship for teachers interested in connecting to their students and communities through incorporating Food Education into their curriculum on a weekly basis. Fellows will partner with an individual or organization in the food space to support student-led advocacy work within their classrooms. The Fellowship includes virtual monthly training, resources, and 1:1 support (including alumni teacher, grade/content area peer, and staff coaching). 

Bonus: Check out this interview with 2023 Oregon Fellow, Corrina Hargett!

Applications are due May 25th, 2026.

More information can be found on the Pilot Light website.

Registration is open!

The American Horticultural Society's 2026 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium will take place from July 13-16, 2026 in Pasadena, California. Now in its 34th year, this professional gathering includes interactive workshops, keynote talks, garden visits, and networking opportunities.

Visit their website for further information.

Save the date: Thursday, October 22nd is the Oregon Crunch at Once!

Join thousands of Oregon students in a joyful, synchronized crunch celebrating local foods and agriculture education!

Learn more and pre-register on the Oregon Farm to School Network website.