FNS awarded four cooperative agreements to Boise State University, Chef Ann Foundation, Full Plates Full Potential, and Illinois Public Health Institute to support the development and implementation of the School Food System Transformation Challenge Sub-Grants. The sub-grants will support collaborative projects between school districts, food producers, suppliers, distributors, and/or community partners to stimulate the creation of a resilient, equitable, and nutritious school food system.
Awardees
Center for School and Community Partnerships at Boise State University
The Center for School and Community Partnerships at Boise State University’s Request for Applications for the Supporting Community Agriculture and Local Education Systems Sub-Grants (SCALES) will award up to 35 rural School Food Authorities (SFA) across the nation. Grant awards will be up to $150,000. SCALES will work with SFA directors over a two-year period to build partnerships for innovative solutions to increase local procurement in school meal programs. More information on this grant opportunity is available at https://projectscales.com/.
Important Dates
- Recorded webinars: English and Spanish
- Award Date: April 2024
Chef Ann Foundation
Chef Ann Foundation’s Request for Applications for Partnerships for Local Agriculture & Nutrition Transformation in Schools (PLANTS) Sub-Grants will fund eight collaborative projects led by groups of local partners advancing systemic and equity-driven approaches to transforming school food supply chains. Grant awards will be between $500,000 and $600,000. Entities eligible to apply include school food authorities, food producers, food distributors and aggregators, nonprofits, and local government agencies. More information on this grant is available at https://www.thelunchbox.org/fresh-food-initiatives/apply-for-a-grant/plants-grant/.
Important Dates
Full Plates Full Potential
Full Plates Full Potential Request for Applications is now open! The School Food System Innovation Grant supports regional or statewide projects for innovative and collaborative pilot projects that reimagine Maine’s school food system and have the potential to be sustained or scaled in other regions. This award will fund projects up to $1.5 million. More information on this grant opportunity is available at www.maineschoolmealgrants.org.
Important Dates
School Food System Innovation Grant
- Application opens: March 4, 2024
- Application closes: May 1, 2024
- Informational Webinar: March 7, 2024 2:00PM EST | Register
- Award date: June 17, 2024
Illinois Public Health Institute
The Illinois Public Health Institute and the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub’s first round of Requests for Applications is now open! Two award types are available to eligible applicants in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Spark Awards will fund short-term projects between $10,000 and $75,000. Innovation Collaborative Awards will fund projects that promote systems-level change of the school food system and marketplace up to $250,000. More information on these grant opportunities are available at https://innovateschoolfood.org/.
Important Dates
- Application opens: Feb. 1, 2024
- Application closes: April 30, 2024
- Pre-launch webinar recording
- Grant writing webinar recording
- Informational webinar recording
- Award date: June 30, 2024