USDA-Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) is offering 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.

Grant funds will be made available on a competitive basis, subject to availability of Federal funds. Applicants are encouraged to first submit a Letter of Intent and then apply for either a Planning Grant or an Implementation Grant. Planning grants are expected to range from $20,000 - $45,000 and represent approximately 25 percent of the total awards. Implementation grants are expected to range from $65,000 - $100,000 and represent approximately 75 percent of the total awards. For both types of grants, the applicant must provide at least 25 percent of the costs of the grant project as the Federal share of costs for this grant cannot exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the project, as required by the HHFKA.


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

Two webinars will be offered so that grant applicants can learn more about this grant opportunity.
May 15th, 1:00 EST Implementation grants
Thursday, May 17th, 1:00 EST Planning grants

Application packets as well as sample proposals can be found on FNS's website.