The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is pleased to announce a grant opportunity to help Oregon producers and processors access the school marketplace. Application materials are now available at ODA’s Farm to School webpage: https://oda.direct/F2S. The deadline to apply is April 10, 2024, by 5:00pm. While the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is responsible for allocating most of the Farm to School funds in Oregon, ODA oversees $500,000 for the 2023-2025 biennium in equipment and infrastructure grants for producers who intend to expand sales or start selling to schools and other eligible entities described below. The goal of this competitive grant program is to provide financial resources for Oregon farmers, ranchers, seafood harvesters, fishermen, and processors with specific equipment and infrastructure needs, and who intend to sell food produced (grown, harvested, gathered, raised, caught or processed) in Oregon to any of the following ODE Child Nutrition Program (CNP) food sponsors and Tribal entities:
Eligible equipment and infrastructure costs include, but are not limited to:
In April 2024, an evaluation committee will review proposals and recommend to the ODA Director on selecting the top-ranked applications. Projects chosen to receive funding will be announced in May 2024. Awarded funds are estimated to be available June 2024 to begin project work. Timeline
Farm to School is a program through which schools buy and feature locally produced, farm-fresh foods and processed products from Oregon. Schools can also incorporate lessons on agriculture, nutrition, and learning opportunities such as farm visits and school garden programming. To review the grant details and access the application, please go to ODA’s Farm to School webpage: https://oda.direct/ ContactFor additional information or questions, please contact: f2sgrant@oda.oregon.gov |