2025-2027 Farm to School Purchasing Grant

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has announced the opening of applications for the Farm to School Purchasing Grant for the 2025–2027 biennium. The Farm to School Purchasing Grant aims to provide financial resources to schools and early learning services for the procurement and preparation of high-quality, nutritious, and culturally relevant foods. These foods are intended to be integrated into meal programs, promoting healthy eating habits among children and supporting local food systems. The grant focuses particularly on sourcing food from small and direct marketing farms and food businesses within Washington state. It operates on a competitive, reimbursement-style model and is open to a wide range of applicants. Eligible entities include school districts, childcare centers, organizations that operate a USDA Child Nutrition Program, and schools and early learning centers operated by federally recognized tribes that do not participate in a USDA child nutrition program. This inclusive approach ensures broad participation across educational and early learning settings. Grant awards for the Farm to School Purchasing Grant can range from $1,000 to $300,000. Since 2008, the WSDA Farm to School Program has actively collaborated with schools, farms, and related stakeholders to enhance the procurement of local foods. The purchasing grants specifically address the budgetary challenges schools often face when attempting to source Washington-grown foods from small-scale producers. Through direct investments, the program not only supports local agriculture but also ensures that students have access to fresh, scratch-made meals. The impact of the program has been substantial. With continued funding from the Washington state legislature, WSDA has invested over $8.5 million since 2021 through purchasing grants. This investment has led to the procurement of over 140 types of local foods from more than 360 unique Washington farms and food businesses. This initiative significantly contributes to strengthening the local food economy while enhancing the quality of school meals. Interested applicants must submit their applications by 5:00 PM PST on July 3, 2025. The full grant guidelines and application information are available on the WSDA website. Local producers interested in supplying food to schools can consult the WSDA Farm to School Toolkit or contact the program directly at farmtoschool@agr.wa.gov for assistance in connecting with local school districts. For any public inquiries, WSDA can be reached at (360) 902-1800. The grant office operates from Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s main office is located at the Natural Resources Building, P.O. Box 42560, 1111 Washington ST SE, Olympia, WA 98504-2560.