Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant Program

The Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant Program provides schools and early learning centers with funding to improve access to healthy, local foods and to increase agriculture-education opportunities for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. It connects children with fresh foods grown by Pennsylvania farmers, helps schools and early learning centers strengthen how they purchase local foods, and teaches students where their food comes from — fostering healthy eating habits while supporting Pennsylvania agriculture.

Applicants must be representatives of a K-8 grade school or an Early Childhood Education (ECE) center, and only schools or ECEs that participate in a federal child nutrition program may apply. Eligible project activities include training for teachers and staff, procuring local foods for cafeterias, classroom curricula and experiential learning, family and community involvement in education, field trips to local farms or agricultural operations, and school gardens for education or to supply the cafeteria.

$15,000 maximum award per school, covering up to 75% of project costs; a minimum 25% cash or in-kind match is required. Reimbursement grant. $500,000 is available program-wide, awarded on a funds-available basis. Eligible costs include PA agricultural products (food), supplies, personnel, travel, critical equipment, and indirect costs (max 10%). Only 75% of a project may be used for local procurement unless 100% of the match is also documented local procurement.

Apply through the Commonwealth's Single Application for Assistance web portal: complete the online portion and upload the fillable PDF template application and the Excel budget template as addenda. Read the application instructions thoroughly first — failure to follow the prescribed format can disqualify an application. The most recent round closed November 14, 2025at 5:00 PM; funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. Check the program page for the next cycle.