Farm to School Equipment and Infrastructure Grant Program

The Oregon Farm to School Equipment and Infrastructure Grant Program is administered by the Oregon Department of Agriculture to support the expansion of Oregon’s farm to school ecosystem by strengthening the capacity of local producers and processors. The program is part of a broader statewide initiative designed to connect agricultural producers with institutional buyers such as schools, early childcare centers, summer meal programs, and Tribal food programs. Through this effort, the state aims to increase the availability of Oregon-grown and processed foods in school meal systems while also promoting agricultural education, nutrition awareness, and economic development within local communities. This competitive grant program is specifically designed to address barriers that prevent producers and processors from accessing or scaling within the school food marketplace. Many small and mid-sized agricultural businesses face challenges related to infrastructure, equipment, and food safety compliance that limit their ability to meet institutional demand. By providing targeted financial assistance, the program enables applicants to invest in equipment and infrastructure improvements that directly enhance production, processing, aggregation, and distribution capabilities. The funding supports projects that increase the volume and consistency of Oregon agricultural products supplied to eligible school meal programs. Funding for the current cycle totals approximately 210,000 dollars for the biennium, with individual grant requests required to fall between 10,000 and 50,000 dollars. Eligible uses of funds include the purchase and installation of equipment such as grading, packing, processing, refrigeration, and food safety systems, as well as infrastructure improvements like facility upgrades, electrical systems, and technology enhancements. Labor costs directly tied to installation and construction are also allowable. However, the program explicitly excludes expenses such as land acquisition, vehicles, consumables, marketing, and indirect costs. All funded activities must contribute to increasing production or processing capacity and must involve products grown or processed within Oregon. A mandatory matching requirement applies to all applicants, with the percentage determined by prior experience selling to schools. Applicants with more than five years of experience must provide a minimum 20 percent match, those with one to four years must provide 15 percent, and new entrants must provide at least 10 percent. Matching contributions may be provided as cash or in-kind resources, including labor, equipment use, or materials. Applicants must document and track these contributions throughout the project period, and detailed matching information becomes part of the contractual agreement upon award. Eligibility is limited to Oregon-based producers, including farmers, ranchers, seafood harvesters, fishermen, agricultural cooperatives, Tribal enterprises, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses that source at least 51 percent of their products from Oregon. Applicants must intend to sell to eligible child nutrition program sponsors such as school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program, childcare providers under the Child and Adult Care Food Program, summer meal providers, and Tribal education or meal programs. Additional eligibility requirements include registration with the Oregon Secretary of State, good standing in prior grant programs, and compliance with applicable food safety standards. The application process requires submission of a detailed proposal including project description, business background, equipment and infrastructure needs, financial sustainability, and anticipated impacts on the school market. Applicants must also submit a work plan, budget detail, and at least one Letter of Intent to Buy from an eligible food sponsor demonstrating demand for their products. Applications are submitted through an online file transfer system or via mail or in-person delivery by the specified deadline. Proposals undergo a two-stage review process consisting of an administrative screening followed by a technical evaluation conducted by a review committee with expertise in agriculture and farm to school systems. The application timeline for the current cycle opened on February 13, 2026, with a submission deadline of March 31, 2026. Applications are screened in early April, reviewed by a grant evaluation committee shortly thereafter, and final award decisions are made by the agency director. Awards are expected to be announced in May 2026, with project funding available upon execution of grant agreements, anticipated around June 2026. All funded projects must be completed by December 31, 2027. The program may offer additional funding rounds within the biennium if resources allow. For inquiries, applicants may contact the program via the general grant email inbox or reach out to the program manager directly.

Focus on clearly demonstrating increased production capacity and school market demand; secure strong letters of intent from school partners; ensure matching funds are well documented and realistic