The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) has been awarded $667,700 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service for a unique food service project involving high school FFA chapters.
A federal grant of $499,809 is being combined with a cost share of $167,891 over two years, ending on June 30, 2025. KDA will award six sub-grants to school districts whose teams will consist of the districts’ FFA chapters, food service professionals, and University of Kentucky Extension agents, including those with the university’s Nutrition Education Program. The sub-grants will be awarded through a competitive process. School districts will receive application information in the coming weeks.
The funds will allow school districts to purchase much-needed walk-in coolers and freezers to store locally-grown Farm to School products. It will also allow FFA chapters to purchase equipment to introduce or build upon the districts’ hydroponic systems, plasticulture, and traditional agricultural practices.
The KDA project is one of 103 nationwide awarded a combined $10.7 million by the Food and Nutrition Service under the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. These investments help 1.2 million students from nearly 3,000 schools in 40 states and the territory of Guam eat more tasty, nutritious foods while supporting farmers and producers in their local and regional communities.
Read more at lanereport.com