The grants are available to school districts and childcare centers that have a USDA child nutrition program, tribal schools, and tribal early learning centers
The Washington State Department of Agriculture is investing more than $3.5 million to get locally-grown food on school lunch trays across the state this coming school year.
WSDA notified 83 Farm to School purchasing grant award recipients this week and funds are eligible for reimbursement between Sept. 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023.
“One of our goals with this grant program is to strengthen Washington’s food system at the regional level, while helping to ensure that more locally-produced food is consumed by children in our schools,” Derek Sandison, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, said.
Background
The Washington State Legislature provided funds to expand WSDA’s Farm to School program. The grant program is administered in partnership with Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
The grants are available to school districts and childcare centers that have a USDA child nutrition program, tribal schools, and tribal early learning centers. The grants will help these facilities buy Washington-grown foods for their child nutrition programs.
Grant awards range from $2,900 to more than $400,000. Program officials based awards on the number of meals served at the site and conducted a competitive review of applications.
For more information, visit agr.wa.gov/FarmToSchool or email farmtoschool@agr.wa.gov. The grant program is part of WSDA’s Focus on Food Initiative, ensuring safe, nutritious, local food is effectively produced and available throughout our state.
Also read:
- Opinion: Not a Good choice
Lars Larson argues that personal choices led to a deadly confrontation with law enforcement during an ICE operation in Minneapolis. - County Charter Review Commission to hold first two meetings in January
The Clark County Charter Review Commission will meet twice in January to begin reviewing the county’s charter and consider whether to recommend amendments for voter approval. - Opinion: ‘The IBR team has been lying to us and thanks to a veteran Oregon journalist, we have the smoking gun’
Ken Vance argues newly obtained documents show Interstate Bridge Replacement staff withheld updated cost estimates from lawmakers and the public. - Former legislator and County Chair Eileen Quiring O’Brien announces candidacy for Clark County auditor
Former Clark County Chair Eileen Quiring O’Brien has announced her candidacy for county auditor following Greg Kimsey’s decision not to seek re-election. - Vancouver Police investigate traffic collision
Vancouver Police are investigating a motorcycle and vehicle collision that left the rider with life-threatening injuries. - WA Democrats push for mid-decade redraw of congressional maps
Washington Democrats have introduced a constitutional amendment that would allow congressional redistricting outside the normal post-census cycle, drawing sharp partisan debate. - Oregon Gov. Kotek calls for repeal of transportation funding package she championed
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is urging lawmakers to repeal a transportation funding package she previously supported after a referendum effort halted key tax increases.
