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​Farm to School Grant Program

The Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant Program will provide schools with funding to improve access to healthy, local foods and increase agriculture education opportunities for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

The program aims to bridge the gap between children and the food system by connecting them to the fresh, healthy food available from Pennsylvania agricultural producers in their community and the surrounding areas.  Through changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and early childhood education sites, children will become more aware and engaged with their local food system as well as empowered to leverage their own consumer influence to support Pennsylvania agriculture.

Program Documents & Resources


Guidelines & Uses

    • Training for teachers and staff.
    • Procuring local foods for school cafeterias.
    • Educational opportunities –
      • Including classroom curricula as well as experiential learning.
      • Providing for family and community involvement in educational opportunities
      • Field trips to local farms or other agricultural operations.
      • School Gardens for the purpose of education or to supply the cafeteria.
Funding Opportunities
    • $15,000 maximum award (75% of project)
    • A minimum 25% match cash or in-kind is required (25% of project)

Eligible & Ineligible Costs

Eligible Costs
    • PA Agricultural Products (food)
    • Supplies
    • Personnel
    • Travel
    • Equipment critical to the project
    • Indirect Costs (max 10%)
Ineligible Costs
    • Equipment that does not play a critical role in the project
Limitations
    • $500,000 is available for the Pennsylvania Farm-to-School Grant Program; grants will be awarded on a funds-available basis.
    • Projects must be completed no later than June 30, 2025.
    • Grants will be funded as reimbursement grants.
    • A single grant shall be limited to 75% of the cost of the project.
    • Each school may receive no more than $15,000 annually.
    • Recipients may use the value of in-kind support to match the amount granted.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted through the Single Application for Assistance online application between system between 8 a.m. on April 3, 2023 and 5 p.m. on May 19, 2023. Applications received outside of that application window will not be considered or reviewed.


Application Requirements:
    • Please read the Application Instructions thoroughly, and follow them meticulously. Failure to follow the prescribed format could disqualify your application.
    • The Application Template must be completed prior to accessing the Single Application for Assistance. 
    • The Budget must be submitted on the Budget Template.
    • Both the Application and Budget must be uploaded as addenda in the Single Application for Assistance.

The detailed requirements for the Farm to School Grant Program can be viewed online.