Federal Grant Award Summary

Healthy Communities Of The Capital Area (HCCA) received a $465,270 Project Grant award dated May 1, 2026, from the Child Nutrition Division under the Farm to School Grant Program (CFDA 10.575) administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. The grant supports implementation of comprehensive farm-to-school initiatives in Gardiner, Maine, with a performance period extending through June 30, 2028. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with established expertise in public health and food access programming, HCCA will leverage this funding to improve access to local foods within Child Nutrition Programs, including school meal programs serving the region.

The grant funding will support activities typical of the Farm to School program, which may include local food procurement for school meals, development of school gardens, integration of agricultural education into school curricula, infrastructure improvements to accommodate local ingredients, training for agricultural producers on food safety and procurement regulations, and experiential learning opportunities connecting students to local food sources and agricultural systems. HCCA's project aligns with program priorities of serving high-need communities and building sustainable farm-to-school models that can be replicated across other eligible entities and geographic areas.