Farm to School Grant Program

The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), was authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. This program supports efforts to increase the availability of local foods in Child Nutrition Program operations, while also connecting students to the sources of their meals through experiential education such as school gardens, farm visits, and taste tests. For Fiscal Year 2026, the program emphasizes expanding access to local and regional food systems, advancing agricultural education, and creating opportunities for small and mid-sized farmers to participate in school food marketplaces. The program is designed not only to improve child nutrition and health but also to sustain U.S. agriculture by supporting local producers. The grant program offers awards for projects lasting up to 24 months, with a funding range of $100,000 to $500,000 per award. The total program funding available is expected to be $18 million, with approximately 50 awards anticipated. Federal support may not exceed 75 percent of the total project budget, meaning applicants must contribute a minimum of 25 percent of project costs through cash or in-kind contributions. The funds may be applied to a variety of allowable costs including personnel, equipment, supplies, training, evaluation, and certain infrastructure improvements. Specific restrictions are in place: for example, no more than 10 percent of funds can be used for food purchases, and costs such as gift cards, entertainment, and vehicle purchases are unallowable. Eligibility for the program includes state agencies, Indian Tribal Organizations, Child Nutrition Program operators, local agencies, agricultural producers, groups of producers, and nonprofit entities with 501(c) status. In Fiscal Year 2026, a new partnership requirement applies to most applicants: Child Nutrition Program operators, local agencies, agricultural producers, producer groups, and nonprofits must apply as part of a partnership composed of at least three entities, including at least one Child Nutrition Program operator. One of these entities must serve as the coordinating entity and bear responsibility for oversight, reporting, and compliance throughout the project. Partnerships must provide signed letters of commitment, while all applicants must submit documentation of matching funds. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. The release date for the solicitation was September 10, 2025, and the application deadline is December 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. Awards are anticipated to be announced in June 2026, with projects beginning in July 2026 and running through June 2028. Applications must include several required federal forms (including SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, and SF-LLL), a project narrative not exceeding 14 pages, budget narratives, match documentation, partnership letters if required, and resumes for key staff. Applicants must also register with SAM.gov and Grants.gov in advance of submission. Applications are evaluated based on a 100-point scale. The largest weighting (45 points) is given to the project description, which must present a clear plan of action, a demonstrated need, and alignment with the program’s objectives to improve access to local foods and agricultural education. Applicants must also address how their proposals meet at least three program priorities, which include scaling farm-to-school efforts, building partnerships, using innovative methods for lasting success, creating opportunities for farmers, and enhancing state-level support. Other criteria include project team capacity, project management plans, evaluation methods, sustainability, and budget alignment. Awardees will be required to submit semi-annual performance progress reports using the FNS-908 form and quarterly financial reports in the Food Programs Reporting System. The program mandates acknowledgement of USDA support in materials and may request site visits. Applicants must also comply with administrative and regulatory requirements under 2 CFR Part 200 and other federal grant rules. For additional questions, applicants may contact the designated Grant Officer, Anna Arrowsmith, via email at Anna.Arrowsmith@usda.gov.

Applicants should register early with SAM.gov and Grants.gov, use templates provided, align match documentation with budget, and carefully select indicators for reporting