Farm to School and Early Care Grants support Minnesota school districts and early childhood education (ECE) centers that want to buy and serve Minnesota agricultural products.

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture expects to award up to $935,000 to reimburse school districts and ECE centers for buying Minnesota-grown and Minnesota-raised foods used in federal meal programs.

Learn more here.

MDA’s Farm to Institution Coordinator provides schools with one-on-one support for getting started with Farm to School:

Kate Seybold, MS (she/her/hers)
Farm to Institution Coordinator
Agricultural Marketing & Development
O: 651-201-6165 | C: 507-321-8010
kate.seybold@state.mn.us

www.mda.state.mn.us

Find practical, Minnesota-specific tips on how to start and grow connections for the health of our children and communities. This page includes information for food service staff on procuring local foods, as well as information on food safety and creating school curriculum.

Learn more here.

These resources address some questions on rules around serving local foods, including information on approved sources and safely buying and serving local produce.

Learn more here.

A general resource guide for information, training webinars, and resources related to Minnesota’s Farm to School program.

Learn more here.

A service of University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Harvest of the Month offers free Farm to School promotional and educational materials, including posters, stickers, and clings!

Learn more here.

Minnesota’s Farm to School e-newsletter is a central source to stay in the loop on various Farm to School opportunities across the state.

Sign up here.

Sprout Food Hub is a nonprofit food hub located in Little Falls, Minn. Its published guide offers recipe ideas for locally-available produce.

Download here.