CN farm to school grant

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded Baltimore City Public Schools $183,477 on May 1, 2026, under the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program (CFDA 10.575) to support local food procurement, school gardens, and agricultural education.

The award is structured as an Implementation grant, a track within the program designed to help schools and school districts scale or further develop existing farm to school initiatives. Baltimore City Public Schools will perform the work at its Baltimore, Maryland location through June 30, 2028. The Implementation grant carries a 24-month performance period with an expected start date at or near early July.

The Farm to School program funds eligible entities—including schools, school districts, local agencies, agricultural producers or groups of producers, and non-profit organizations—to improve access to local foods in USDA Child Nutrition programs. Selection criteria emphasize the degree to which a project serves schools with high free and reduced-price meal enrollment, project readiness and likelihood of success, alignment with program goals, project design and management capability, sustainability and transferability, and budget appropriateness. A grantee may request a one-time six-month no-cost extension if needed. Assistance is released by letter of credit.