On this page you will find the latest press releases and statements from the Office of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.
4/25/2023 2:05:51 PM
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has recently awarded $4.22 million in grants through its Farm to School program. A total of 114 schools received funding this year, which they will use to purchase Minnesota-grown and -raised foods for use in school meals.
This record amount of Farm to School grant awards was made possible by Minnesota’s Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA Local Foods Schools Program and the MDA’s Farm to School grant programs seek to increase the amount of healthy, local foods served in school meals while expanding market opportunities for small businesses and socially disadvantaged farmers.
“These Farm to School grants support Minnesota’s local farmers and producers and provide students with healthy, local foods in their school meals,” said Governor Walz. “By providing grant funding to over 100 schools to purchase Minnesota-grown and -raised foods, we are strengthening our local communities and economy and working to ensure every student receives nutritious meals to promote their learning and growth at school.”
“By making it easier for schools to provide meals with fresh, locally-grown ingredients, we’re giving small and emerging farmers a boost while providing our students with healthy meals they need to succeed,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I am proud of this program and thankful to our federal partners for helping expand this work to deliver for Minnesota’s farmers, students, and schools.”
“With support from the USDA’s Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement, our Farm to School program is reaching new heights in Minnesota,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “The MDA is grateful to be able to provide this historic amount of grant funding to schools. When schools buy local, Minnesota’s farmers, communities, and economy all benefit, and our students enjoy the most fresh and nutritious foods that our state can offer.”
Recipient school districts were awarded one of two grants to purchase foods that were grown or raised in Minnesota:
These grant awards range in size from $2,500 to $150,000 and will support over $3.45 million in local food purchases by schools. Applicants were also able to apply for additional funding through the MDA’s Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) program to purchase equipment to support their Farm to School initiatives. Equipment awards totaled $769,714.
Implementation of the MDA’s Local for Schools Cooperative Agreement and the Farm to School grant programs is supported by the Cargill Foundation. Grant recipients may also receive technical assistance to successfully implement their farm to school procurement activities from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy thanks to funding from the
USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant
Farm to School Grant Recipients
First Bite Grants:
|
FY23 First Bite Grantee School/School District |
City |
First Bite Award |
Equipment Award |
Total Award |
|
Adrian Public Schools, ISD 511 |
Adrian |
$5,000.00 |
$14,024.45 |
$19,024.45 |
|
Austin Public Schools, ISD 492 |
Austin |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Barnesville Public Schools, ISD 146 |
Barnesville |
$10,000.00 |
$22,700.00 |
$32,700.00 |
|
Benson Public Schools, ISD 777 |
Benson |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Bluffview Montessori, ISD 4001 |
Winona |
$9,000.00 |
$9,000.00 |
|
|
Burnsville Eagan Savage Schools, ISD 191 |
Burnsville |
$10,000.00 |
$2,000.00 |
$12,000.00 |
|
Cook County Schools, ISD 166 |
Grand Marais |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School |
St. Paul |
$4,000.00 |
$4,000.00 |
|
|
Duluth Public Schools, ISD 0709 |
Duluth |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
East Range Academy of Technology and Science |
Mountain Iron |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Fergus Falls Public Schools, ISD 544 |
Fergus Falls |
$2,500.00 |
$16,573.00 |
$19,073.00 |
|
Frazee Vergas Public Schools, ISD 23 |
Frazee |
$7,500.00 |
$7,500.00 |
|
|
Fridley Public Schools, ISD 14 |
Fridley |
$10,000.00 |
$35,000.00 |
$45,000.00 |
|
Granada Huntley East Chain Schools, ISD 2536 |
Granada |
$10,000.00 |
$12,151.99 |
$22,151.99 |
|
Hibbing Public Schools, ISD 701 |
Hibbing |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Hinckley-Finlayson Public Schools, ISD 2165 |
Hinckley |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Holy Rosary School |
Detroit Lakes |
$7,500.00 |
$16,849.00 |
$24,349.00 |
|
Holy Trinity Catholic School |
Pierz |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Intermediate District 287 |
Plymouth |
$4,000.00 |
$4,000.00 |
|
|
Jordan Public Schools, ISD 717 |
Jordan |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Lake of the Woods School, ISD 390 |
Baudette |
$6,000.00 |
$6,000.00 |
|
|
Lake Superior School District, ISD 381 |
Two Harbors |
$10,000.00 |
$35,000.00 |
$45,000.00 |
|
Lanesboro Public Schools, ISD 229 |
Lanesboro |
$10,000.00 |
$35,000.00 |
$45,000.00 |
|
Mankato Area Public Schools, ISD 77 |
Mankato |
$10,000.00 |
$14,000.00 |
$24,000.00 |
|
Minnewaska Area Schools, ISD 2149 |
Glenwood |
$10,000.00 |
$6,700.00 |
$16,700.00 |
|
Moorhead Area Public Schools, ISD 152 |
Moorhead |
$5,000.00 |
$10,759.68 |
$15,759.68 |
|
Mountain Lake Christian School |
Mountain Lake |
$5,000.00 |
$1,709.00 |
$6,709.00 |
|
Nativity of Our Lord School |
St. Paul |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Nett Lake Public Schools, ISD 707 |
Nett Lake |
$5,000.00 |
$5,000.00 |
|
|
North Branch Area Public Schools, ISD 138 |
North Branch |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Northland Community Schools, ISD 118 |
Remer |
$3,500.00 |
$13,890.83 |
$17,390.83 |
|
Paynesville Public Schools, ISD 741 |
Paynesville |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Pelican Rapids Public Schools, ISD 548 |
Pelican Rapids |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Pine Island Public Schools; ISD 255 |
Pine Island |
$10,000.00 |
$18,159.50 |
$28,159.50 |
|
Plainview-Elgin-Millville Schools, ISD 2899 |
Plainview |
$7,500.00 |
$698.59 |
$8,198.59 |
|
Red Lake School District, ISD 38 |
Red Lake |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Red Rock Central Schools, ISD 2884 |
Lamberton |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Richfield Public Schools, ISD 280 |
Richfield |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Ridgeway Community School, CSD 4083 |
Houston |
$3,000.00 |
$3,000.00 |
|
|
Rush City Schools, ISD 139 |
Rush City |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Rushford-Peterson Public Schools, ISD 239 |
Rushford |
$9,962.00 |
$9,962.00 |
|
|
SAGE Academy, CSD 4087 |
Brooklyn Park |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
St. Charles Public Schools, ISD 858 |
St. Charles |
$10,000.00 |
$16,356.88 |
$26,356.88 |
|
Salem Lutheran School |
Stillwater |
$6,000.00 |
$1,995.00 |
$7,995.00 |
|
Sartell-St. Stephen Public Schools, ISD 748 |
Sartell |
$7,500.00 |
$7,500.00 |
|
|
Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, ISD 47 |
Sauk Rapids |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Schoolcraft Learning Community, CSD 4058 |
Bemidji |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Springfield Public Schools, ISD 85 |
Springfield |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
St Peter Public Schools, ISD 508 |
St. Peter |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
St. Peter Lutheran School |
St. Peter |
$2,500.00 |
$105.00 |
$2,605.00 |
|
Staples-Motley School District, ISD 2170 |
Staples |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
United South Central Public Schools, ISD 2134 |
Wells |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Vermilion Country School |
Tower |
$7,500.00 |
$7,500.00 |
|
|
Voyageurs Expeditionary School, CSD 4107 |
Bemidji |
$5,000.00 |
$5,000.00 |
|
|
Willow River Public Schools, ISD 577 |
Willow River |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Wrenshall Public Schools, ISD 100 |
Wrenshall |
$2,500.00 |
$2,500.00 |
|
|
Zion Lutheran Church and School |
Alexandria |
$5,000.00 |
$5,000.00 |
|
|
Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public Schools, ISD 2805 |
Zumbrota |
$10,000.00 |
$18,159.50 |
$28,159.50 |
Full Tray Grants:
|
FY23 Full Tray Grantee School/School District |
City |
Full Tray Award |
Equipment Award |
Total Award |
|
Aitkin Public Schools, ISD 1 |
Aitkin |
$41,000.00 |
$13,572.57 |
$54,572.57 |
|
Alexandria Public Schools, ISD 206 |
Glenwood/
|
$27,183.00 |
$28,550.00 |
$55,733.00 |
|
All Saints Catholic School |
Lakeville |
$7,000.00 |
$7,000.00 |
|
|
Becker Public Schools, ISD 726 |
Becker |
$17,000.00 |
$17,000.00 |
|
|
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Public Schools, ISD 2364 |
Belgrade |
$22,600.00 |
$22,600.00 |
|
|
Bloomington Public Schools, ISD 271 |
Bloomington |
$48,974.00 |
$19,000.00 |
$67,974.00 |
|
Brainerd Public Schools, ISD 181 |
Brainerd |
$100,000.00 |
$10,600.00 |
$110,600.00 |
|
Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools, ISD 877 |
Buffalo |
$28,500.00 |
$28,500.00 |
|
|
Cannon Falls Public Schools, ISD 252 |
Cannon Falls |
$52,250.00 |
$52,250.00 |
|
|
Crosby-Ironton Public Schools, ISD 182 |
Crosby |
$31,000.00 |
$31,000.00 |
|
|
Crosslake Community School, CSD 4059 |
Crosslake |
$6,000.00 |
$1,160.00 |
$7,160.00 |
|
Dassel Cokato Public Schools, ISD 466 |
Cokato |
$104,263.42 |
$35,000.00 |
$139,263.42 |
|
Deer River Public Schools, ISD 317 |
Deer River |
$53,978.00 |
$53,978.00 |
|
|
Delano Public Schools, ISD 879 |
Delano |
$62,000.00 |
$62,000.00 |
|
|
Detroit Lakes Schools, ISD 22 |
Detroit Lakes |
$57,266.22 |
$8,000.00 |
$65,266.22 |
|
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Public Schools, ISD 2164 |
Dilworth |
$71,000.00 |
$71,000.00 |
|
|
Eden Prairie Public Schools, ISD 272 |
Eden Prairie |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
First Evangelical Lutheran School |
Glencoe |
$6,700.00 |
$4,350.00 |
$11,050.00 |
|
Foley Public Schools, ISD 51 |
Foley |
$60,000.00 |
$60,000.00 |
|
|
Fond du Lac Reservation Ojibwe School |
Cloquet |
$20,634.00 |
$20,634.00 |
|
|
Glacial Hills Elementary, CSD 4168 |
Starbuck |
$17,500.00 |
$17,500.00 |
|
|
Heron Lake Okabena Public Schools, ISD 330 |
Okabena/Heron Lake |
$30,000.00 |
$30,000.00 |
|
|
Holy Trinity Catholic School |
South Saint Paul |
$12,500.00 |
$12,500.00 |
|
|
Hopkins Public Schools, ISD 270 |
Hopkins |
$150,000.00 |
$2,090.00 |
$152,090.00 |
|
Hutchinson Public Schools, ISD 423 |
Hutchinson |
$141,686.94 |
$35,000.00 |
$176,686.94 |
|
Immanuel Lutheran School |
Gaylord |
$5,000.00 |
$5,000.00 |
|
|
Lake City Schools, ISD 813 |
Lake City |
$35,000.00 |
$35,000.00 |
|
|
Litchfield Public Schools, ISD 465 |
Litchfield |
$91,127.03 |
$35,000.00 |
$126,127.03 |
|
McGregor Public Schools, ISD 4 |
McGregor |
$18,084.00 |
$18,084.00 |
|
|
Mesabi East Schools, ISD 2711 |
Aurora |
$65,270.00 |
$9,978.57 |
$75,248.57 |
|
Minneapolis Public Schools, Special School Dist No. 1 |
Minneapolis |
$150,000.00 |
$150,000.00 |
|
|
Morris Area Public Schools, ISD 2769 |
Morris |
$36,000.00 |
$36,000.00 |
|
|
New Millennium Academy, CSD 4143 |
Brooklyn Center |
$15,754.25 |
$4,836.93 |
$20,591.18 |
|
New Ulm Area Catholic Schools |
New Ulm |
$12,800.00 |
$12,800.00 |
|
|
Northwestern MN Juvenile Center |
Bemidji |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Schools, ISD 2168 |
New Richland |
$53,744.00 |
$53,744.00 |
|
|
Osseo Area Public Schools, ISD 279 |
Maple Grove |
$100,000.00 |
$100,000.00 |
|
|
Pine City Public Schools, ISD 578 |
Pine City |
$10,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, ISD 719 |
Prior Lake |
$125,000.00 |
$35,000.00 |
$160,000.00 |
|
Riverway Learning Community |
Winona |
$8,600.00 |
$8,600.00 |
|
|
Robbinsdale Area Schools, ISD 281 |
New Hope |
$142,629.14 |
$20,007.00 |
$162,636.14 |
|
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Schools, ISD 196 |
Rosemount |
$150,000.00 |
$23,750.00 |
$173,750.00 |
|
Roseville Public Schools, ISD 623 |
Roseville |
$120,000.00 |
$29,444.00 |
$149,444.00 |
|
St. Anthony-New Brighton Schools, ISD 282 |
St. Anthony |
$30,000.00 |
$34,388.00 |
$64,388.00 |
|
St. Paul Public Schools, ISD 625 |
St. Paul |
$100,000.00 |
$100,000.00 |
|
|
St. Louis Park Public Schools, ISD 283 |
St. Louis Park |
$50,000.00 |
$50,000.00 |
|
|
St. Cloud Public Schools, ISD 742 |
Waite Park |
$100,000.00 |
$18,811.00 |
$118,811.00 |
|
St. Croix Preparatory Academy, CSD 4120 |
Stillwater |
$30,722.00 |
$30,722.00 |
|
|
St. Michael-Albertville Schools, ISD 885 |
Albertville |
$50,000.00 |
$19,576.77 |
$69,576.77 |
|
St. Wenceslaus School |
New Prague |
$13,520.00 |
$5,920.00 |
$19,440.00 |
|
The Journey School |
St. Paul |
$13,300.00 |
$3,846.61 |
$17,146.61 |
|
Wabasha-Kellogg Schools, ISD 811 |
Wabasha |
$19,500.00 |
$19,500.00 |
|
|
Wayzata Public Schools, ISD 284 |
Plymouth/Wayzata |
$150,000.00 |
$35,000.00 |
$185,000.00 |
|
White Bear Lake Public Schools, ISD 624 |
White Bear Lake |
$50,000.00 |
$35,000.00 |
$85,000.00 |
|
Willmar Public Schools, ISD 347 |
Willmar |
$28,000.00 |
$10,000.00 |
$38,000.00 |
|
Winona Area Public Schools, ISD 861 |
Winona |
$11,500.00 |
$11,500.00 |
.
