Extension > Family > Farm to School > Funding Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
The following initiatives and agencies offer funding opportunities for Farm to School initiatives.
USDA Farm to School Grant Program — The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) amended Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to establish a Farm to School program in order 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 USDA Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) is charged with implementing the farm to school program. In this first funding cycle, FNS anticipates awarding up to $3.5 million in grant funding to support efforts that improve access to local foods in eligible schools.
Important Dates and Deadlines
- April 17, 2012: Request for Applications Released
- May 18, 2012: (Suggested) Letter of Intent Deadline
- June 15, 2012: Proposals Due
- (Pending the Availability of Federal Funds) Shortly after October 1, 2012: Awards Announced and Funds Available
The first-ever Connect for Health Challenge opens soon! The Challenge is a new grantmaking initiative of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, in collaboration with InCommons. The Foundation will award up to $ 500,000 to eligible nonprofits, schools and local units of government to support efforts that strengthen social connections in low-income communities across Minnesota. Are you interested in entering the Challenge? The Foundation begins accepting entries on April 17, 2012, so start thinking today about how your organization can build or strengthen social connections in Minnesota communities. Through the Challenge, the Foundation hopes to expand the base of organizations it engages with for grant opportunities, including those working in low-income communities in Greater Minnesota.
Want to learn more? Watch the Connect for Health video.
USDA Grants and Loans for Farm to School Efforts — While not a necessity to begin or sustain Farm to School activities, additional funding resources may assist schools and farmers in carrying out their Farm to School efforts. USDA has several available grant and loan opportunities that can assist the school to farmer connection, teach students about fresh local products, and help farmers and schools to purchase equipment to augment Farm to School efforts.
Minnesota Department of Health – Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) — SHIP works to prevent disease before it starts by helping create healthier communities that support individuals seeking to make healthy choices in their daily lives.
Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools
Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council
Ag Literacy Grant Program— Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Youth Garden Grants Program — National Gardening Association
Captain Planet Foundation Offers Grants for Hands-On Environmental Education Activities — Seed grants of $500 or less are available to United States-based schools and nonprofit environmental and educational organizations for hands-on projects that engage children and youth in improving the environment.
USDA’s Rural Development Department Community Facilities (CF) Grant — This is a unique opportunity for non-profit organizations, public bodies, and tribal organizations in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population to upgrade their community’s child nutrition facilities and purchase equipment that could improve access to healthy, locally, or regionally grown products.
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