The Food & Nutrition Service, under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is granting up to $18 million towards FY 2026 Farm to School Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to enhance access to local foods in eligible Child Nutrition Program (CNP) sites through comprehensive farm-to-CNP programming that includes local sourcing and agricultural education efforts.
Grants can be used to launch new farms to CNP programs or expand existing efforts. Up to 50 applicants are expected to be funded, and awards will range anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000. A 25% federal cost share is required.
Application Deadline: December 5, 2025, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time
Eligible Applicants
The following entities are eligible to apply for USDA Farm to School grants:
- State agencies
- Indian Tribal organizations
- Child Nutrition Program operators*
- Local agencies*
- Agricultural producers*
- Groups of agricultural producers*
- Non-profit organizations*
All non-profit organizations must include their 501(c)(3) determination letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service.
Important Note: Under this RFA, all entities marked with an asterisk (*) must be part of a partnership to be eligible to apply.
Geographic Eligibility Requirements
Eligible Locations:
- All U.S. states and territories
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Guam
Ineligible Locations:
- International (non-U.S. or non-U.S. territories) entities
- Northern Mariana Islands
- American Samoa
- Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and Republic of Marshall Islands)
Examples of Eligible Activities
Approved activities under this Farm to School Grant opportunity include:
- Program Development: Launching a pilot program that creates opportunities for eligible entities to create farm-to-CNP initiatives
- Local Sourcing: Incorporating more unprocessed and value-added, minimally processed, locally or regionally sourced meal components into the CNP meals
- Producer Training: Readying producers to participate in the CNP food marketplace by providing training on procurement regulations, Good Agricultural Practices, and other food safety-related topics
- Infrastructure Improvements: Improving infrastructure to accommodate new local ingredients or local menu items in CNP meals
- Distribution Solutions: Solving distribution bottlenecks that limit the feasibility of sourcing more locally or regionally produced items by working closely with intermediaries (e.g., distributors, food hubs)
- Career Development: Integrating agricultural education with career and technical preparation programs to encourage the next generation of agricultural producers
Educational and Community Engagement Activities
Experiential Learning Opportunities
- Creating school gardens
- Developing school-based farmers' markets
- Providing support to agriculture/food clubs
- Increasing exposure to local farms and on-farm activities
Nutrition and Consumption Programs
- Encouraging increased consumption of fruits and vegetables in CNP sites through promotional activities
- Conducting taste tests and other activities featuring local products
Cultural and Traditional Knowledge Programs
- Adopting agricultural education curricula that encourage the sharing of Indigenous traditional knowledge between generations
- Teaching about native plant varieties and planting practices
- Developing and implementing an integrated curriculum to reinforce food and nutrition-based learning throughout the school environment or on a local farm(s)
Key Program Details
Total Funding Available: Up to $18 million Number of Awards: Up to 50 recipients
Award Range: $100,000 - $500,000 per recipient
Cost Share Required: 25% federal cost share
Application Deadline: December 5, 2025, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time
Need Professional Grant Application Assistance?
USFCR's Consulting Division offers comprehensive assistance with grant applications through:
- Professional grant writing services
- Application review and optimization
- Submission management services
To learn more about USFCR's grant services:
- Call us at (877) 252-2700
- Complete the grant assessment below for personalized guidance.
USFCR specializes in helping businesses and organizations secure federal funding opportunities. Our experienced team has helped clients obtain millions in grant funding through strategic application development and professional submission services.
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