CDFA ACCEPTING PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CALIFORNIA FARM TO SCHOOL INCUBATOR GRANT PROGRAM RFA

Español

SACRAMENTO, November 29, 2023 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) announces it is seeking public comment for the 2023-24 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program’s draft request for applications (RFA). The RFA is open to public comment until 5 p.m. PST December 14, 2023.
 
The Budget Acts of 2021 and 2022 provide up to $60 million in one-time funding to support this grant cycle. CDFA will set aside up to 10% of awards for Tribal governments and Tribal-based non-profit organizations.
 
The purpose of the 2023-24 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program is to support projects that cultivate equity, nurture students, build climate resilience, and create scalable and sustainable change in the school food system.
 
“This program is helping us meet our goals to nourish students while fostering climate-smart, resilient food systems to meet the needs of local communities by directly connecting students, educators and farmer's” stated CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Whether they’re in the cafeteria, classroom or school garden, we’ve seen this program inspire kids to eat what they grow and expand what they know about California food and farmers.”
 
The program is helping to transform the school food system and nourishing students by cultivating a healthier, more equitable, climate-smart California for all.
 
There are four grant tracks within the 2023-24 program:
- Track 1: California Farm to School TK-12 Procurement and Education Grant
- Track 2: California Farm to School Technical Assistance Grant
- Track 3: California Farm to Early Care and Education Grant
- Track 4: California Farm to School Producer Grant
 
Two live information sessions will be held to provide an overview of the RFA and allow time for questions and public comments. The live information sessions are:
- 10 a.m. PST November 30, 2023
- 4 p.m. PST December 6, 2023
 
The RFA and registration for the Zoom information sessions may be viewed on the CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program webpage.  Stakeholders may submit comments during live information sessions or via email to cafarmtoschool@cdfa.ca.gov. Please include “F2S Grant Stakeholder Comments” in the email subject line and please specify which funding track each comment is regarding in the body of the email.
 
Once the public comment period is complete, CDFA will incorporate stakeholder feedback in the final RFA and the grant application period will begin in early 2024.

-30-