Grants and Funding
Learn more about grant opportunitiesGrants and funding are crucial to the success of farm to school programs. Grants can fund the development of a school garden, cover the cost of new kitchen equipment, and even buy educational supplies to lead farm to school activities.
The grant opportunities listed below may help you start or expand farm to school efforts, such as gardens, local food procurement, food-based education, and more, at your school, early childhood education facility, or alternative learning environment. The grants are organized by the season in which the application is due, and the typical grant application timeline is provided if known.
Check out the grants below for more information and eligibility.
Oklahoma Local Food for Schools Program
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF) is excited to announce that the Oklahoma Legislature has allocated another $3.2 million to continue the Oklahoma Local Food for School Programs (OKLFS). This program helps schools partner with local producers and processors to purchase minimally processed foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, dairy, and nuts.
The program encourages school districts to partner with local producers and meat processors to purchase minimally processed foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, dairy, and nuts. The OKLFS Program will reimburse schools for approved purchases of minimally processed foods purchased through ODAFFs approved vendor list.
Who Can Apply?
Any public school district accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education is eligible to apply for OKLSF funding. Please keep in mind that this is a reimbursement program; schools are required to follow the guidelines outlined in the contract’s terms and conditions.
Past Recipients (Feb. 2025 awards):
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If you still have funds remaining, you must spend them and submit reimbursement before reapplying.
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If you have spent all funds, you may reapply for $5,000–$25,000 (new bids required). Funds must be spent by June 30, 2026. Schools may receive up to $100,000 per fiscal year (July–June) if previous awards are fully used.
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School Application Process:
Schools that did not receive funding in February 2025, may apply as a new applicant starting August 25, 2025. Applications will be accepted through the web portal until the money is fully allocated.
- Applicants may request a minimum of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per month with a maximum request of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) per month.
- Requests shall be submitted in five-thousand-dollar ($5,000.00) increments.
- Applicants may only apply for funding once a month and only if all previously allocated funding has been used.
- The maximum amount of funding an Applicant can receive in a fiscal year (July-June) is one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00).
- All funding must be spent by June 30, 2027.
Producers:
Schools are required to purchase items only from producers that have been approved by ODAFF through the Local Food Procurement Assistance Program. Producers interested in selling to schools can be added to the list by submitting a request to ODAFF for approval. Upon approval by ODAFF, a producer will be added to the vendor list. Apply to be an approved vendor today.
Please visit the links below for more information regarding the application process and program rules.
For any questions or concerns regarding OKLFS, please contact Brady Womack: Brady.Womack@ag.ok.gov, (405) 522-4330 or Ashley Bender: Ashley.Bender@ag.ok.gov, 405-522-5509.
Approved by the Board of Ag on Jan. 29
Approved applicants can only purchase items from the Department’s approved vendor list.
2026 USDA Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant
This grant is designed to increase the availability of local foods in Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operations and connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local food sourcing for CNP meals. Grants can be used to launch new farm to CNP programs or expand existing efforts.
- Deadline: December 5, 2025
Project Ranges: $100,000 to $500,000- Overall Awards: Up to $18 million
- FY 26 Objective: To improve access to local foods in eligible CNP sites through comprehensive farm to CNP programming that includes local sourcing and agricultural education efforts.
Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov)
Bee Grant
The Bee Grant program allows for a school or non-profit organization to receive support for an educational live bee program. The purpose of this grant is to bring live bees to campuses across the country to engage students in pollinator education, enhance STEAM skills, and develop a life-time love of conservation and environmental stewardship. In addition, to live bees hives, grant recipients receive curriculums, lesson plans, and other educational materials to bring the classroom into the heart of the hive!
The Traditional Bee Grant and Renewal Grant opens every September and closes at the end of October. Our amazing partners at Whole Kids Foundation (WKF) provide support for this successful program.
2025 Bee Grant opens September 1, 2024!
KidsGardening Grant Opportunities
KidsGardening offers a variety of grants to new and existing youth garden programs across the nation. Each funding opportunity has its own timeline, defining features, eligibility requirements, and reporting expectations. We encourage you to explore our grant programs below to see which one might be the best fit for your particular situation.
Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants
The Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation supports youth leaders ages 5-25 across the United States to turn their ideas into action and make an impact on the issue of childhood hunger. Grants fund youth-led community service or fundraising projects designed to address childhood hunger that takes place in schools, colleges/universities, after-school programs, youth organizations, nonprofits, or faith-based organizations.
Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants | Youth Service America (ysa.org)
Get Schools Cooking Grant
2024 applications are now open!
Get Schools Cooking (GSC) is an intensive 3-year assessment and strategic planning program that provides schools with the operational knowledge to transition from a heat and serve model. As our most in-depth program, Get Schools Cooking works with districts to identify specific operational changes, guiding them towards a scratch cook operation. (The program was previously known as the School Food Support Initiative.)
Partnerships for Local Agriculture & Nutrition Transformation in Schools (PLANTS)
Partnerships for Local Agriculture and Nutrition Transformation in Schools (“PLANTS”) is a grant program that funds projects led by groups of local partners advancing systemic and equity-driven approaches to transforming school food supply chains.
Bulk Milk
Bulk Milk is a granting program that provides schools and districts with bulk milk dispensing equipment and support, including a bulk milk dispenser, stand, reusable cups, dish racks, program and marketing materials, and technical assistance. Bulk milk directly reduces packaging and liquid waste, supporting environmental sustainability in schools.
Salad Bars to Schools
Salad Bars to Schools (SB2S) is a granting program that provides schools and districts with salad bar equipment and support, such as Cambro bars, camchillers, and technical assistance. SB2S directs supports the effective implementation of salad bars in school lunchrooms.
Garden Grant Program
Kids who grow veggies, eat veggies, so school gardens can make a big difference. Through our Garden Grant program, schools and non-profit organizations turn outdoor spaces into powerful hands-on learning gardens that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity and support classroom curriculum.
Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation Grant Opportunities
Sprouting School Gardens Grant
Across the country, Sprouts has been supporting thousands of school gardens and nonprofit organizations through our grant programming. To help more schools create or expand their school garden-based programs, we are pleased to announce our new Sprouting School Gardens Grants!
Growing Healthy Kids Grant
We know that healthy habits are formed at a young age and that hands-on nutrition and cooking programs are among the most powerful tools to bring these habits to life. The Growing Healthy Kids Grant supports programs that teach children, and their families, how to grow, cook, and eat healthy foods.
Wellness Across the Lifespan Grant
Our purpose at Sprouts is to help people live and eat better. Wellness Across the Lifespan Grants support programs that help young adults and vulnerable populations achieve and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors and nutritious eating.
All three of these grants range in size from $5,000 to $10,000 and support health and nutrition education through hands-on cooking, community gardening programs, and healthy lifestyle programs. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in communities where Sprouts Farmers Market has stores.