Purpose:
The purpose of this state funded competitive grant program is to encourage existing National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Child Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) sponsors to build capacity to grow or purchase locally grown and produced ingredients, prepare nutritious scratch-cooked meals and educate students about the food system.
Fund Use:
Funds may be used for, but not limited to: (a) adequate kitchen equipment used to prepare food for school meals and snacks including, but not limited to, local, fresh produce, meats, seafood and dairy items; (b) training school kitchen staff in preparing fresh meals using local ingredients and in procuring such ingredients; (c) training educators and other school staff in adding or integrating food system lessons to their curriculum; and (d) infrastructure and programming for curricular and extracurricular activities, such as school gardens, for students to learn about agriculture and the food system.
Grant details can be found on the DESE website: Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs
Massachusetts Farm to School is offering coaching sessions in January, and an informational webinar on 12/14/22 at 10 am. Click Here to Register for the webinar.
Questions? Reach out to Laura Smith at laurasmith7759@gmail.com