The New York State Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program (Round 2, 2024), administered by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, provides up to $5 million per award to enhance the state’s K-12 school food system by funding capital projects that build resiliency, support New York State farm products, and reduce food insecurity. Grants are available for projects that construct, renovate, or improve facilities supporting school meal preparation and distribution, including aggregation hubs and commissary kitchens.

Eligible applicants include New York-based nonprofits, municipalities, school districts, and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Projects must benefit multiple school districts, incorporate workforce training, and use New York State agricultural products. Applicants must register and pre-qualify in the Statewide Financial System (SFS) and are limited to one application per funding cycle. Ineligible applicants include private entities and for-profits.

Funding can cover costs like salaries tied to construction, equipment with a minimum five-year life, transportation vehicles, architectural services, and legal services. However, expenses such as food purchases, indirect costs, lease expenses, and ineligible salaries are excluded. A 5% match is required, which can include cash or donated goods, but not in-kind labor.

Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on December 5, 2024, submitted via the SFS Grants Management System. Proposals are evaluated on factors such as the project’s business plan, cost reasonableness, projected benefits, and external support, with awards announced in March 2024. The awarded projects must begin by March 15, 2025, with a term of up to five years. For questions, applicants may contact the Farm-to-School Team at farmtoschool@agriculture.ny.gov.