Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $570,000 Grant Opportunity for Nutritious Food Access and Education During Farm to School Month

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that the Massachusetts FRESH (Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health) fiscal year 2024 grant application is open, with up to $570,000 in total funding available for early education programs and K-12 schools that participate in federal child nutrition programs. The MA FRESH grant funds farm to school activities that enhance student access to nutritious, locally grown and produced foods, while connecting them to their local food system and STEM educational opportunities focused on food literacy, nutrition, plant science and agriculture. 

“Learning about nutrition and food, how it’s grown and produced, and where it comes from can positively impact students’ lifelong health and wellbeing,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I encourage schools and early education programs across the state to apply for our MA FRESH grant to support their efforts to expand opportunities for students to learn about nutrition and agriculture and connect with their local communities and businesses.”

“As Lieutenant Governor, I have visited farms and local agricultural businesses across the state learning about their work to create a resilient and sustainable food system. I am excited that the MA FRESH grants will support students of all ages to explore similar experiences and learn about local food and nutrition. These grants will also provide resources to programs and schools to offer healthier meal choices, improving student health now and well into their future,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.

“By giving students the opportunity to learn about nutrition, where food comes from and how to prepare it, we are able to start them on a path toward lifelong health and help them realize and explore future careers in our food system,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “These grants are a great opportunity to bring learning to life while connecting our students and schools with nutritious, farm-fresh food sources.”

The MA FRESH grant program is administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in collaboration with the Department of Early Education and Care. Eligible applicants include early education programs that offer meals through the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP) and K–12 schools that offer meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Examples of grant activities include but are not limited to: building a new school garden indoors or outdoors, student field trips to local farms or other food producers, professional development and training for educators to bring food literacy activities or curriculum to their students, purchasing kitchen equipment, and professional development and training for school food service professionals to enhance school meal offerings.

“A STEM education starts within early education and care programs. This grant program is helping our youngest learners explore where their food is coming from, how it is prepared, and what a nutritious meal looks like – connecting students to their local communities, farmers and larger food system. These funds will support our child care providers to create innovative ways to inspire future generations of farmers, chefs, plant biologists and nutritionists,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw.

“This grant is a great chance for schools and early education programs to try a new approach to teaching students about food and nutrition and/or to improve the food students are offered,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley. “Farm to school activities can be great opportunities for hands-on learning that connects to everyday life.” 

Funding through the MA Fresh grant is available through the following tracks: 

• New K-12 Farm to School Initiative Grants: $5,000 – $50,000
• New Early Education Farm to School Initiative Grants: $3,000 – $25,000
• Expanding K-12 Farm to School Initiative Grants: $5,000 – $50,000
• Expanding Early Education Farm to School Initiative Grants: $3,000 – $50,000 

“We are so thankful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts legislators for recognizing the importance of high-quality meals and experiential education opportunities that enhance learning outcomes and support our local farmers and food producers,” said Mass. Farm to School Co-Director Simca Horwitz. “MA FRESH grant recipients will have the opportunity to offer the kind of farm to school programming we envision for every community in the Commonwealth.” 

The fiscal year 2024 MA FRESH grant application opened September 15, and the deadline to apply is Friday, November 17. Learn more and complete an application.

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