Farm to School

How much money is available?

The MDA AGRI Farm to School Grants support Minnesota school districts that want to purchase and serve Minnesota agricultural products. In 2022, MDA plans to award up to $748,000 to reimburse school districts for purchasing Minnesota grown and raised foods used in school meal programs.

This is double the amount of previous funding, so you will have a better chance than ever before to get your Farm to School project funded (as long as it meets the grant goals, of course)!

Who is this grant for?

No matter its size or location, your school district is eligible to receive money through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) AGRI Farm to School Grants. The grants support school districts that want to start or grow a Farm to School program by reimbursing purchases of food grown locally in Minnesota!

What types of grants are available?

First time grant appliers:
Farm to School First Bite Mini Grant

A perfect fit for schools that are just starting out with Farm to School and want to try buying local MN foods! The First Bite Mini Grant offers up to $5000 to help schools test local procurement strategies and learn from their experiences. Previous First Bite grantees are ready to level up to MDA’s Full Tray Grant!

Previous grant recipients:
Farm to School Full Tray Grant

School districts can build on their Farm to School experience with this larger grant opportunity. The  amount of funding a school can receive in a Full Tray Grant is based on the number of meals served in October 2019, and can be up to $35,000. Full Tray grantee schools also need to chip in a 1:1 cash match for this grant.

BONUS add on opportunity:

Schools applying for either the First Bite or the Full Tray Farm to School Grants can add on a request for up to $25,000 to purchase equipment that will support their Farm to School initiatives. The equipment portion of the grant request must include a 1:1 cash match. Part of this can also cover installation.