Grants Help Students Connect With Local Food Sources

ST. PAUL (WJON News) -- Eight area schools have received a share of over $175,000 in grants to increase purchases of Minnesota-grown and raised foods. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded over $1.1 million dollars to 59 school districts and 11 early childhood centers located in 40 counties.

Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $30,000.

Area schools receiving funds include: $30,000 each for St. Cloud Area Schools, Little Falls Community Schools, Dassel-Cokato Public Schools, and Litchfield Public Schools. Foley Schools will get $27,000, and Holdingford Schools will get over $16,000. St. John's Area School in Foley will get over $7,000, and New London-Spicer Schools will receive $5,000.

The awarded funds include $137,464 for equipment purchases.

MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen says, "These investments create new market opportunities for Minnesota farmers and give Minnesota kids access to local meals that support their learning, growth, and understanding of where their food comes from."

Recipients were awarded grants in one of two categories. First Bite Grants for schools new to local purchasing, and Full Tray Grants for schools with some farm to school purchasing experience that are ready to grow the program.

Since 2019, MDA has awarded over $9 million dollars through Farm to School Grants and cost-share funding.

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