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), supports the integration of locally sourced foods into Child Nutrition Program (CNP) meals, while promoting agricultural education through hands-on activities like school gardens, taste tests, and farm field trips. Authorized by Section 18 of the National School Lunch Act, the program aims to enhance access to local food in eligible sites and foster connections between students and their food sources. For FY26, it places a particular emphasis on scaling comprehensive farm to CNP programming with local sourcing and educational components, especially through required partnerships among eligible entities. The grant will support 24-month projects with awards ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, contingent on Congressional appropriations. Matching contributions of at least 25 percent of the total project cost are mandatory and must be supported by formal documentation. Projects may include local procurement planning, infrastructure upgrades for local food integration, development of educational materials, technical assistance for producers, or promotional activities aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. A maximum of 10 percent of federal funds may be used for food purchases for educational purposes. Eligible applicants include State agencies, Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs), CNP operators, local agencies, agricultural producers, and nonprofits. While State agencies and ITOs may apply independently, all other applicants must apply as part of a partnership with at least three confirmed members, including one CNP operator. The partnership model is intended to promote collaboration and expand access to markets for small and mid-sized producers. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by December 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Required documents include federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B), a project narrative, budget narrative, match and partnership letters, and additional supporting documentation such as resumes and verification of nonprofit status. Proposals will be evaluated on project clarity, alignment with program objectives, strength of partnerships, feasibility of the timeline, staffing qualifications, evaluation methods, and plans for sustaining outcomes beyond the grant period. The award announcement is anticipated in June 2026, with a performance period running from July 2026 through June 2028. Reporting will include financial and performance progress reports submitted semi-annually through the FNS Food Program Reporting System (FPRS) using the FNS-908 form. The grant is recurring, with an expected annual cycle. For more information, contact the Grant Officer, Anna Arrowsmith, at Anna.Arrowsmith@usda.gov. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin the registration process early and ensure all match documentation is accurately submitted to avoid disqualification.

Ensure match documentation aligns precisely with budget narrative; partnership letters must meet specific format and content criteria; at least five required indicators must be tracked in a properly formatted activity table.