Grants Enhance Farm to School Initiative

By Scout Nelson

North Dakota is stepping up its commitment to connecting local farms with school cafeterias by offering new equipment grants under the Farm to School initiative. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announced that applications for these grants are now open, aimed at bolstering the program that integrates locally sourced foods into school meal programs.

These grants are specifically designed to make it easier for schools and local producers to participate in the Farm to School program, thereby promoting the consumption of fresh, local ingredients among students.

Eligible entities include North Dakota producers, K-12 school districts, and Early Childhood Education Centers that are part of the National School Lunch or Child and Adult Care Food Programs.

The need for such grants was identified during statewide meetings where both schools and producers expressed a crucial need for more equipment to streamline the process of delivering local foods to students.

"This grant will assist in that process," stated Commissioner Goehring, highlighting the program's role in enhancing students' access to nutritious local food.

Funded through the United States Department of Agriculture's Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Award, North Dakota has a total of $204,500 available for these grants. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) will manage the grant distribution through a competitive application process.

Prospective applicants can find detailed information, including eligibility criteria and application instructions, in the information manual available on the NDDA’s website. The deadline for electronic submission of applications is March 31, 2025. Following the submission, applications will be reviewed, scored, and ranked before final approval by Commissioner Goehring.

For further information or assistance with the application process, interested parties can contact Jenna Nieters at the Department of Agriculture.

This initiative underscores North Dakota's dedication to fostering a closer relationship between local agriculture and educational institutions, ensuring that students benefit from fresh and healthy meals sourced right from their community.

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