Minnesota State Wire

Minnesota schools, early childhood education centers, and licensed in-home family childcare providers have a new opportunity to receive financial support for sourcing local foods. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that applications are now open for its Farm to School and Early Care Grant and Local Tots Cost-Share programs. These initiatives aim to reimburse institutions for purchases of foods grown and raised within the state.

The MDA expects to distribute about $1.35 million through its fiscal year 2026 AGRI Farm to School and Early Care programs. Of this total, around $200,000 is set aside for the Local Tots Cost-Share program, with the remaining funds directed toward First Bite, Full Tray, and Equipment grants.

“Farm to School and Early Care is one of our most popular grant programs, and it’s been great to see strong bipartisan support for expanding it,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “This funding not only brings fresh, local foods to students across Minnesota, it also creates real market opportunities for farmers producing everything from fruits and vegetables to cheese, meat, and other specialty crops. It’s a win for kids and a win for Minnesota agriculture.”

The First Bite Farm to School and Early Care Grant targets K-12 school districts and early childhood education centers that are beginning their efforts in purchasing local foods. Applicants can request between $2,500 and $5,000 without needing to provide matching funds.

For those with some experience in buying local food who wish to expand their offerings, the Full Tray Farm to School and Early Care Grant allows applicants—again limited to school districts or ECE centers—to request up to $35,000. The amount available depends on how many meals are served as part of federal meal programs such as the National School Lunch Program or Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Family childcare providers may apply through the Local Tots Cost-Share program. New participants do not need a cash match; however, providers who received awards during the program’s first year in fiscal year 2025 must provide a 1:1 cash match. The anticipated award per provider is about $1,000 but may vary based on demand.

Applicants seeking either First Bite or Full Tray grants can also include requests up to $25,000 specifically for kitchen equipment needed for processing or preparing local foods. This equipment funding must be bundled with a request for food purchases; standalone equipment requests will not be considered. A 1:1 cash match is required for this portion of funding. Equipment grants are not currently available through the Local Tots Cost-Share program.

The MDA has stated it will prioritize projects that plan on purchasing a diverse range of agricultural products—including culturally relevant foods—and those providing clear sourcing strategies covering various types of crops such as fruits, vegetables, culinary herbs, maple syrup, honey, among others.

All applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, October 23, 2025. More information about eligibility criteria and application instructions can be found at the Farm to School and Early Care Programs webpage: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/business-dev-loans-grants/farm-school-and-early-care-programs

Funding comes from the MDA’s Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program which supports farmers as well as agribusinesses throughout Minnesota by advancing both agriculture production practices as well as renewable energy development across the state.