Grants to Massachusetts community-based organizations, government agencies, and for-profit organizations to develop the capacity of school nutrition programs. Priority will be given to education facilities with high percentages of students eligible for reduced price and free meals.
The purpose of this state funded competitive grant program is to encourage existing National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Child Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) sponsors to build capacity to grow or purchase locally grown and produced ingredients, prepare nutritious scratch-cooked meals and educate students about the food system.
Competitive priority will be given to schools and early education providers who prepare meals from scratch with high percentages of students eligible for free and reduced price lunch and shall aim to promote geographic equity.
Additional competitive priority will be given to districts and schools in chronically underperforming status and the Strategic Transformation Region.
Funds may be used for, but not limited to: (a) adequate kitchen equipment used to prepare food for school meals and snacks including, but not limited to, local, fresh produce, meats, seafood and dairy items; (b) training school kitchen staff in preparing fresh meals using local ingredients and in procuring such ingredients; (c) training educators and other school staff in adding or integrating food system lessons to their curriculum; and (d) infrastructure and programming for curricular and extracurricular activities, such as school gardens, for students to learn about agriculture and the food system.
Estimated Total Program Funding:
Estimated Size of Grant:
All goods, services and contractual duties budgeted in FY23 must be delivered by June 30, 2023.
Submit applications to MAFRESH@mass.gov
Phone Number: (781) 338-6463
