Alaska Farm to School Mini-Grant

Posted by Alaska Child Nutrition Programs

Type: Funding
Application Deadline: December 19, 2024

The application can be found on the CNP Form Submission Studio.  The deadline for applications is December 19th.  Any technical questions about the application must be submitted to me by December 12th.

This year, there are three possible tracks for the grant application.  Each site may apply to only one track.  The three tracks have unique focuses, so be sure to read each one carefully to ensure that your application meets the requirements.

Track 1 Agriculture & Traditional Foods Education for Students

This mini-grant aims to provide educational opportunities to introduce students to local produce and or the local food system. The educational opportunities should not be a one-off lesson or field trip but part of a larger overarching integration into the school year or summer program. This can include purchases such as (but not limited to):

• Gardening supplies
• Curriculum or supplies
• Services fees for speakers or guest speakers
• Entrance costs for field trips

Unallowable costs include:

• Food for school meal programs
• Food for tasting or cooking demonstrations is allowable
• Administration or salary
• Construction or capital costs
• Livestock

Selected applicants will be awarded between $500 and $5,000.

Track 2: Procurement & Processing of Local Foods

This mini-grant aims to provide school nutrition programs the opportunity to integrate local and/or traditional foods into school meal programs. The primary purpose of purchases should be to process local products. Allowable purchases include:

• Supplies or small wares
• Equipment
• Examples: slicers, cutters, choppers, etc.

Unallowable costs include:

• Food for school meal programs
• Administration or salary
• Construction or capital costs
• Livestock

Selected applicants will be awarded between $500 and $5,000.

Track 3: Professional Development

This mini-grant aims to provide opportunities to train staff who want to start or enhance the Farm to School programs at their districts or organizations. Individuals who do not work for a school district or ECE program must offer training exclusively to school districts or ECE sites. Non-districts/ECE sites must follow USDA federal nondiscrimination policies as well. Schools and ECE programs that participate in a train-the-trainer program and demonstrate a plan to train other staff may qualify for additional funds.

Example of allowable expenses:

• Travel to conferences or training
• Facility rentals; must be published rate (non-profit organizations only)
• Conference fees, program tuition
• Supplies ex: printing (Up to 25% of budget)
• Services and fees for speakers or guest speakers (School districts or ECE only)

Unallowable costs:

• Food or “entertainment”
• Administration or salary
• Per diem or travel pay

Selected applicants will be awarded up to $1,000 per individual or $1,500 per individual for a train-the-trainer program. To qualify for additional train-the-trainer funding applications must demonstrate a plan to train other staff.