Sullivan 180 has released the Farm to School Initiative Grant application. The grant provides funding support to initiatives proposed by youths to enhance cafeteria experiences and promote healthy food to farm-to-school.

Through a USDA Grant, and in partnership with several organizations, student proposed Farm to School initiative grants are available to every school district in Sullivan County. The purpose of this grant is to engage students in visioning and proposing projects or programs that would enhance their in-school eating experience.

Farm to School partners are available to offer technical assistance in a variety of areas. Students might also explore, incorporate or build on existing efforts such as the Catskill Edible Garden Project or resources such as Farm to School Month, NYS Harvest of the Month, the Big Apple Crunch, New York Thursdays etc.

Students are invited to apply in collaboration with their school leadership. Successful projects will have an opportunity to be presented at a regional Farm to School conference in 2025.

This youth initiatives project is part of the School Nutrition Action Coalition (SNAC) which has been working together over the past year to advance farm to school in Sullivan County. The Coalition includes partners from the Center for Discovery, Cornell Cooperative Sullivan County, Gael Roots Farm, Harvest NY, A Single Bite + the Catskills Food Hub, and the Sullivan County Youth Bureau; along with Liberty, Livingston Manor, Roscoe and Sullivan West School Districts.

Applications are available at www.sullivan180.org/grants-scholarships. The application deadline is May 1, 2024.

For more information, contact Denise Frangipane at 845-295-2443 or denise@sullivan180.org.