Posted on 03.04.24 by Harney SWCD

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is pleased to announce a grant opportunity to help Oregon producers and processors access the school marketplace. Application materials are now available at ODA’s Farm to School webpage: https://oda.direct/F2S.

The deadline to apply is April 10, 2024, by 5:00pm.

While the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is responsible for allocating most of the Farm to School funds in Oregon, ODA oversees $500,000 for the 2023-2025 biennium in equipment and infrastructure grants for producers who intend to expand sales or start selling to schools and other eligible entities described below.

The goal of this competitive grant program is to provide financial resources for Oregon farmers, ranchers, seafood harvesters, fishermen, and processors with specific equipment and infrastructure needs, and who intend to sell food produced (grown, harvested, gathered, raised, caught or processed) in Oregon to any of the following ODE Child Nutrition Program (CNP) food sponsors and Tribal entities:

• A school district participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP);
• A provider of center-based programs for children in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP);
• An entity that provides meals through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP); and
• Tribal schools, Tribal Early Learning/Childhood Education sites, and other Tribal youth meal programs.

Eligible equipment and infrastructure costs include, but are not limited to:

• Grading, packing, labeling, packaging, or sorting equipment for raw agricultural products
• Equipment that helps to maintain the identity and traceability of products
• Processing equipment or physical improvements for production and/or value-added processing facility to reduce produce and food safety risks
• Cooler walls and refrigeration units
• Contractor costs and materials for installation of approved equipment, including, for example, plumbing, drainage, venting, and electrical work
• Renewable energy production equipment
• Produce and food safety certification and licensing fees
• Equipment and infrastructure for production and season extension

In April 2024, an evaluation committee will review proposals and recommend to the ODA Director on selecting the top-ranked applications. Projects chosen to receive funding will be announced in May 2024.  Awarded funds are estimated to be available June 2024 to begin project work.

Timeline

Informational Training

March 8, 2024  10:00 – 11:30

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 296 420 646 936
Passcode: dDVZ3C
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Or call in (audio only) +1 503-446-4951,,279321961#
United States, Portland
Phone Conference ID: 279 321 961#
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Grant Office Hours (virtual)

March 22, 2024 10:00 – 11:30
April 5, 2024 10:00 – 11:30

Microsoft Teams meeting     

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device  

Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 237 404 724 145
Passcode: MwFmes
Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only) +1 503-446-4951,,526073114#
United States, Portland
Phone Conference ID: 526 073 114#
Find a local number | Reset PIN

Farm to School is a program through which schools buy and feature locally produced, farm-fresh foods and processed products from Oregon. Schools can also incorporate lessons on agriculture, nutrition, and learning opportunities such as farm visits and school garden programming.

To review the grant details and access the application, please go to ODA’s Farm to School webpage: https://oda.direct/F2S

Contact

For additional information or questions, please contact: f2sgrant@oda.oregon.gov