MDA Farm to School and Early Care Grants Open for Applications 

Two Grants that aim to increase local purchasing in Minnesota Farm to School and Early Care programs are now open for applications through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. $935,000 in grants will be available to Minnesota school districts and early childhood education centers to purchase Minnesota grown and raised foods for the use in federal meal programs. 

The first of the two grants that will be available to these institutions include the Farm to School and Early Care First Bite Grant that are intended for schools and early childhood centers that have little to no experience with local procurement as part of a Farm to School and Early Care program. 

The second grant available is the Farm to School and Early Care Full Tray Grant that is intended for school districts and ECE centers that have some Farm to School and Early Care procurement experience.

School Districts and Early Childhood programs that apply for the First Bite grant can apply for a minimum of $2,500 and a maximum of $5,000 while applicants in the Full Tray Grant can apply for up to $35,000. 

Grant Applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2023. More information can be found on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Website.