AGRI Farm to Kids Equipment Grant
Forecasted
AGRI Farm to Kids Equipment Grant supports Minnesota schools and early childhood centers with kitchen equipment to store, prepare, and serve local foods, expanding children’s access and farmers’ markets.
Funder: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $20,000 for equipment with a 1:1 cash match; projects up to three years
Summary: Supports kitchen equipment that helps Minnesota schools and early childhood education centers store, prepare, and serve Minnesota-grown foods.
Key Information: Equipment funding requires an accompanying First Bite or Full Tray food-grant application; it is not standalone funding.
Description
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) administers the Farm to Kids Equipment Grant through its Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program. The grant supports Minnesota K–12 schools, school districts, and early childhood education (ECE) centers purchasing kitchen equipment to advance Farm to Kids initiatives within federally funded meal programs. Equipment requests accompany First Bite or Full Tray food-grant applications, connecting kitchen investments with purchases of foods grown or raised in Minnesota.
The program aims to increase young people’s access to local foods, expand market opportunities for Minnesota farmers, and support the state’s agricultural economy. Equipment must directly support the applicant’s Farm to Kids work. Projects may include multiple equipment purchases, along with shipping, sales tax, and associated installation costs.
