New York State Farm-to-School Grant Program 2026
Forecasted
New York State Farm-to-School Grant Program 2026 supports schools and partner organizations in strengthening supplier ties and removing barriers to increase purchases of New York farm products for K–12 meals.
Funder: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $50,000–$150,000 per award for two-year projects; $1,500,000 total in the 2026 round
Summary: Supports increased purchases of New York farm products for K–12 school meals through stronger school–supplier relationships.
Key Information: Increasing school food purchases must be the primary objective, but grant funds cannot pay for food.
Description
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets administers this competitive program to increase the volume and variety of New York farm products purchased and served in K–12 school meal programs. Projects build relationships between schools and suppliers and should help school food programs move toward the New York State 30% Initiative, which measures eligible New York products as a share of lunch costs.
The program also supports agricultural education, improved nutrition, and new local culinary experiences for students, provided these remain secondary to increased purchasing. Partnerships with producers and food processors are strongly encouraged. Projects may address procurement, storage, preparation, staff training, and kitchen infrastructure barriers that limit schools’ use of New York foods.
