Farm to School Grant
Solicitation Title: Farm to School Grant
Funding Amount: Award Ceiling: $100,000 | Award Floor: $20,000
Sponsor Deadline: Friday, December 8, 2017
Solicitation Link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=297858
Solicitation Number: USDA-FNS-F2S-FY2018
Overview
<p>NOTE: Partnerhip with a non-profit entity or School Food Authority (SFA) is necessary for eligibility. Program information: award competitive grants for: (i) Training; (ii) Supporting operations; (iii) Planning; (iv) Purchasing equipment; (v) Developing school gardens; (vi) Developing partnerships; and, (vii) Implementing farm to school programs. The Secretary of Agriculture was also directed through the HHFKA to ensure geographical diversity and equitable treatment of urban, rural, and tribal communities, as well as give the highest priority to funding projects that, as determined by the Secretary – (a) Make local food products available on the menu of the eligible school; (b) Serve a high proportion of children who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches; (c) Incorporate experiential nutrition education activities in curriculum planning that encourage the participation of school children in farm and garden-based activities; (d) Demonstrate collaboration between eligible schools, nongovernmental and community-based organizations, agricultural producer groups, and other community partners; (e) Include adequate and participatory evaluation plans; (f) Demonstrate the potential for long-term program sustainability; and, (g) Meet any other criteria that the Secretary determines appropriate. Authorizing language also states that as a condition of receiving a USDA Farm to School Program Grant, each grant recipient shall provide matching support in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, and agree to cooperate in an evaluation of the program carried out using grant funds. Implementation grants are intended to help schools, school districts, state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, small- and medium-sized agricultural producers or groups of small- and medium-sized agricultural producers, and non-profit entities working with schools or school districts to scale or further develop existing farm to school initiatives. Implementation awards range from $50,000 - $100,000. Planning grants are for schools or school districts, state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, small- and medium-sized agricultural producers or groups of small- and medium-sized agricultural producers, and non-profit entities working with schools or school districts that are just getting started on farm to school activities. These funds are intended to help these entities organize and structure their efforts for maximum impact by embedding known best practices into early design considerations. Planning awards range from $20,000 - $50,000. Training grants are intended for state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, small- and medium-sized agricultural producers or groups of small- and medium-sized agricultural producers, and non-profit entities to support trainings that strengthen farm to school supply chains, or trainings that provide technical assistance in the area of local procurement, food safety, culinary education, and/or integration of agriculture‐based curriculum. Training awards range from $20,000 - $50,000.</p>
Solicitation Limitations: <p>Planning and Implementation Grant Eligibility: Eligible schools, state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, small- and medium-sized agricultural producers or groups of small- and medium-sized agricultural producers, and non-profit entities are eligible to receive planning and implementation grants. Eligible schools are defined as pre-K-12 School Food Authorities (SFAs), non-profit private schools, charter schools, Indian tribal schools, and others that participate in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs. Eligible SFAs may apply for funding that spans the entire SFA, for a specific group of schools (e.g. only K-5 schools within an SFA), or for an individual school. In the case where an SFA exists, the application must come from the SFA, and only one application per SFA is allowed. Funding is available to support school-based programs only. If a proposal seeks to increase local foods in the Child and Adult Care Program or the Summer Food Service Program, target sites must be located at a school. Training Grant Eligibility: Only state and local agencies, Indian Tribal Organizations, small- and medium-sized agricultural producers or groups of small- and medium-sized agricultural producers, and non-profit entities are eligible to receive training grant funds. Training grants may support projects that impact CACFP and SFSP operators that have sites beyond schools.</p> Other Information:<p>Past Recipient: Tuscon Unified School District, AZ - Food service staff will receive garden training, and schools within the district will benefit from a multi-vendor produce bid to incorporate more local produce in the lunch menu.</p>Last Updated:
RODA ID: 345