"We know that serving our children healthy, local meals
means they are better, more productive students and that they are more likely
to continue eating healthier foods as they get older," Governor Cuomo
said. "Programs like Farm-to-School and our No Student Goes Hungry
initiative are making a difference in not only providing nutritious food
choices to our students but also helping to support our farmers. I look forward
to seeing this momentum continue in even more districts across the state."
"As part of the fifth round of the Farm-to-School
program, we are committed to providing local, healthy foods in schools across
the state," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "This funding will
bring more locally-sourced products into our schools and provide economic
benefits to New York farmers - a partnership that helps ensure their growth and
success. This program is making sure our students have access to the best local
food in New York, and advances the long-term success of our agriculture
industry."
Lieutenant Governor Hochul announced the fifth round of the
Farm-to-School program today at Waterfront Elementary School in Buffalo and
participated in a NY Thursdays local lunch with students. Students enjoyed New York beef hamburgers
from Slate Foods of New York, which sources from farms across the Hudson
Valley; corn on the cob and kale salad from Eden Valley Growers from Eden, NY;
chips from Marquart Farms from Gainesville, NY; milk from Upstate Farms from
Buffalo, NY; New York apples; and NY Juice Co. Concord grape juice, made with
Concord grapes from farms across Western New York. Buffalo Public Schools has
an enrollment of 38,351 students in more than 60 different schools in Erie
County and has succeeded in reaching the 30 percent goal of sourcing local
foods from New York State.
Applicants eligible for Round 5 of the Farm-to-School
Program include Kindergarten through Grade 12 school food authorities, public
schools, charter schools, not-for-profit schools, and other entities
participating in the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast
Program, or the Summer Food Service Program. Not-for-profit entities working
with school food authorities and eligible schools are also able to apply. The
state is seeking proposals that will increase the capacity of schools to
procure and serve New York State farm products in school meal programs.
Grant funding of up to $100,000 per project will be awarded
for, but not limited to:
• Employing a local or regional farm-to-school coordinator;
• Training of food service staff to increase knowledge of
local procurement and preparation of locally produced food;
• Purchase of equipment needed to increase capacity of
school kitchen and food service staff to prepare and serve locally produced
food; and
• Capital improvements to support the transport and/or
storage of locally produced food.
Since the Governor launched New York's Farm-to-School
Program in 2015, $4.825 million has been committed to support Farm-to-School
projects across the State. Through the first four rounds of funding, the New
York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has awarded 43 projects,
benefiting 255 school districts in every region across the state.
All applicants to the Farm-to-School Program must register
and apply through Grants Gateway. Proposals must be received by November 7 by 4
p.m. For more information, contact: Mark
McMullen at Mark.McMullen@agriculture.ny.gov.
