New Grant Program to Help Schools Improve Access to Local Foods

Press Release

Grants will help create school gardens and other initiatives. Get more information here.

MORE INFORMATION: Grant materials, application, webinars and more available here.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said a new grant program announced today could help Maine school districts improve access to local foods. The USDA's Farm to School Program will provide grants in the $20,000-$100,000 range to help schools create school gardens and create other programs that bring local foods to students.

"This is going to help students connect with local agriculture, whether it's by planting a garden on school grounds or taking a trip to a local farm," Pingreesaid. "When kids have a closer relationship with local farming they have a healthier relationship with food. It's good for their health, it's good for their performance in school and it helps the local economy."

Planning grants in the range of $20,000-$45,000 and implementation grants in the range of $65,000-$100,000 will be awarded later this year. The deadline for application is June 15 and the USDA will hold an informational webinar on May 15th for interest applicants. (For more info on the Farm to School grant program, including details on the webinar and application material, click here)

"There is a growing demand for locally sourced food and increased market opportunities for producers and food businesses," Pingree said. "These grants will help schools be part of that economy."

Pingree has introduced legislation to allow schools to spend more of their federal funding on locally produced foods, and is the author of the Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act, a comprehensive package of proposals designed to encourage and support local agriculture.

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