Farm to School Grant Program FAQs for FY 2026 Request for Applications

Please refer to the request for applications for more detailed information.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

How is “local” defined for the Farm to School Grant Program?: The Farm to School Grant Program does not define “local.” Each applicant can create a definition that works for their particular needs and goals and is based on the availability of local products in their geographic area. Local can be within a certain number of miles of a school, within a county, within a state, or within more than one state. The definition may change with the seasons, as certain products become more or less available. Applicants must define local in a way that upholds full and open competition, which includes having enough vendors in the defined area to compete to provide the product. Please ensure you clearly describe your definition of local in your grant application. For more information on defining local, please see the Geographic Preference Option Questions & Answers memorandum.
Does the grant proposal have to include local sourcing-related activities?: Yes, this is a required component of the objectives for the Request for Applications (RFA). This aligns with the program’s overall purpose to improve access to local foods in eligible child nutrition program sites. A strong proposal will address how the proposed project supports and/or aligns with local sourcing efforts in USDA child nutrition programs (CNPs).
Will my application be rejected if it exceeds the page limit?: Applications will not be removed from consideration because of length; however, any information contained on pages beyond the limit will not be considered as part of the application, even if the text is a continuation of information from the previous page. Additionally, partnership letters and resumes have a one-page limit; therefore, only the information contained on the first page of each letter and resume will be considered. To guarantee that all sections of your application are scored, please abide carefully by the page limits listed in the RFA.

Eligibility

My school district was awarded a Farm to School Implementation Grant in FY 2022, FY 2023, or FY 2024. Are we still eligible for a Farm to School Grant in FY 2026?: Yes, if you are a grantee that received a Farm to School award in previous years, then you are still eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. However, you must be in good standing and have submitted all required deliverables by the application deadline. Grant deliverables include all progress and financial status reports and an Action Plan, if applicable.
Are institutions operating the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) required to have nonprofit status to be eligible to apply as part of a partnership?: No, this is not required. For profit institutions participating in the CACFP are eligible to apply but only for projects implemented at facilities or sites participating in CACFP.
Our state agency is interested in applying for a FY 2026 Farm to School grant but does not administer any CNPs. Are we eligible?: Yes, all state agencies are eligible. However, state agencies that do not administer CNPs are required to partner with a CNP-administering entity.
Are state commodity commissions eligible?: For the purposes of the FY 2026 Farm to School Grant Program, state agencies are any statewide government agency that administers or works in partnership with the agency that administers the federal child nutrition programs (e.g., Office of Public Instruction, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, etc.). Therefore, state commodity commissions may be considered state agencies and eligible to apply for a Farm to School grant.
Are entities located in the American territories eligible?: It depends. Entities located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam are eligible to apply, given their participation in NSLP and SBP. Entities located in Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and Republic of Marshall Islands) are ineligible for this funding opportunity because they receive a Nutrition Assistance Program block grant.
My organization uses a regional farm to school institute model to provide resources such as information on farm to school program development, practitioner education and training, and ongoing school year coaching and technical assistance to entities such as school districts. Is this an eligible grant activity?: Activities supporting regional farm to school institutes are permissible if proposed activities align with the required objective. Please note that if a proposal intends to target CNP sites, those schools or sites discussed in the project proposal as benefiting from the project must be eligible entities as defined in the RFA.
My institution of higher learning or extension program is considered a nonprofit 501(c), state agency, or local agency; can I apply as the corresponding entity type?: No, the RFA explicitly excludes institutions of higher learning and cooperative extensions; however, you may serve as a partner to an eligible applicant.
Are Tribal Colleges eligible for a farm to school grant?: No, Indian Tribal Colleges are ineligible for the FY 2026 grant opportunity because they are a higher education institution. A Tribal College may serve as a partner to an eligible applicant.
We are applying now to participate in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program but don’t currently participate. Can we be the coordinating entity for an application since we intend to participate next year?: No. Coordinating entities must be eligible at the time that the application is submitted.

Partnerships and Required Documentation

Do all applicants require a partner?: Yes, all applicants require at least one partner to be considered. State agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) need at least one partner; for state agencies and ITOs that do not administer a CNP, at least one of those partners must be a CNP operator/administrator. State agency and ITO applications do not require a partnership letter. All other applicant types must apply as part of a partnership comprised of at least three entities, including the lead applicant. Partnership applications require at least two partnership letters.
Do all entities in a partnership need to be one from the list of eligible entities?: No, only the coordinating entity must be an eligible entity. However, the coordinating entity or one of its partners must be a CNP operator/administrator.
I want to apply under a partnership, does my organization need to be a CNP operator?: Not necessarily. If your organization does not operate/administer a CNP, you need to partner with an entity that does. At least one of the entities in the Partnership needs to operate/administer a CNP to be eligible to apply under this funding opportunity.
Do I have to submit an application package for each one of the partners participating in the partnership application?: No, you are only required to submit one application package from the coordinating entity, but at least two partners must be listed in the project narrative, and you must provide two partnership letters (see Appendix A for more information on how to list partners).
Am I required to submit a partnership letter if I am the coordinating entity for the application?: No. Coordinating entities should not submit a partnership letter. Partnership letters are only required from two other participating partners for partnership applications.
Can I contract with or subgrant to a partner or another entity?: Yes. Partners that are essential to the proposed project and require funding from USDA to participate may be included in applicant budgets as a subgrantee or line-item contractor. Justification must be provided for any sole-source contracts.
My nonprofit has never been audited; are we eligible to apply as the coordinating entity under a partnership?: Yes, grant applicants are not required to have participated in an audit prior to being selected for a USDA Farm to School Grant. However, under federal audit requirements, recipient institutions that expend $500,000 or more per year in federal funds must have a single or program-specific audit for that year.
Can I attach any documentation in addition to what is required by the RFA?: No, do not attach any additional documents that are not explicitly stated in the RFA. If it is not requested in the RFA as a part of your application, please do not submit any additional material (e.g., organizational charter, bylaws, strategic plan, etc.) as it will not be reviewed or considered.

Matching Funds

Can matching funds be used as an in‐kind contribution for this project and another federal grant?

No. These contributions cannot satisfy a cost sharing or matching requirement for this grant program if they are used towards satisfying a match requirement under any other federal grant agreement.

Do I need all the required matching resources secured prior to issuing the award or submission of application?

Yes. In order for the award to be issued, the grantee must meet the requirement of 25% match by providing a match letter(s) showing confirmation that they have secured the matching funds and that they will be available during the grant period. The match funds do not need to be in hand at the time of submission, but they must be confirmed as secured for the project at the time of application. In addition, documentation of match funding must be maintained for audit or review of the project.

Can I use federal food service funds as a match for this grant program?

No. Federal funds of any type cannot be used as match.

Can I use a la carte sales as a match for my proposal?

No. In accordance with 7 CFR Part 210.14(a), school food authorities are required to maintain a nonprofit food service account. Revenues, including a la carte sales, received by the nonprofit school food service are to be used for the operation or improvement of such food services; consequently, funds in the nonprofit school food service account cannot be used as match funding.

Is Cooperative Extension funding eligible to fulfill the match requirement?

It depends. Cooperative Extension Service is defined by USDA National Institutes of Food and Agriculture as, “a nationwide, non‐credit educational network that addresses public needs by providing non‐formal higher education and learning activities to farmers, ranchers, communities, youth, and families throughout the nation.” Because of this definition and because institutions of higher learning are deemed ineligible to apply for these grants, cooperative extension funding from a federal source is not an allowable match for this grant. However, non-federal cooperative extension funds may be used towards a match. The applicant should include match letters for each cash and/or in-kind resource that clearly distinguishes the source of these funds.

Can Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act funds be used to fulfill the non-federal match requirement?

Funds provided under The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 USC 5322) may be used to fulfill the non-federal match requirement of the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, provided they are used in accordance with their intended purpose and align with the proposed project.

I have cash in hand for my project right now. Can it count toward the match since I’ll spend it on the same project I’m proposing to USDA?

Yes. However, the match funds must be spent during the same time period as the proposed project. Any cash match expended before the start of the USDA grant period will not count toward the match.

The total grant budget submitted in the grant application must reflect the requirement of 75% federal and 25% non‐federal funds to support the project. If, during the grant period, the 25% match is not met, the grantee’s federal funds will be adjusted to ensure the federal grant funds account for only 75% of the total project budget. Please note that previous volunteer work hours cannot be counted towards the in-kind match, as matching funds must be allocated towards the project during the period of performance.

Does time spent cultivating relationships with growers, coordinating purchases, and developing menu plans count towards an in‐kind match?

Yes, work performed by staff and volunteers on the proposed farm to school project may be used to satisfy the matching contribution. However, time claimed as in-kind match must be reasonable and conducted during the period of performance of the project.

How do I provide evidence for volunteer time as a source of matching funds?

If the applicant intends to allocate future volunteer hours toward the in-kind match during the project period, please include a letter of intent from the lead official of the organization providing the volunteer(s). Previous volunteer hours cannot be counted towards the in-kind match, as matching funds must be allocated towards the project during the period of performance.

Is the use of facilities an allowable source of matching funds? For example, our school would like to host trainings and meetings in our gymnasium. If we waive the rental fee for the meeting space, can this count towards the match?

Yes. The use of a facility may be used as a match for this grant project. However, you may only charge “market rate” for the rent of the facility. The value of buildings, land, and/or property are unallowable costs for the Farm to School Grant and therefore, unallowable as a source of matching funds. For example, if the typical rental fee is $200 per event, the waived rental fee could be used toward the match; however, the property value of the facility may not be.

Can indirect costs count towards our match?

Unrecovered indirect costs may be used to satisfy the match component of the grant project with prior approval of the federal agency, as per 2 CFR 200.306(c). Your organization must have a negotiated indirect cost rate; you may not use de-minimis indirect for your match.

My organization is the applicant (or coordinating entity) and is providing match. Does my organization need to provide a letter documenting the match?

Yes. All sources of match, including match from the applicant or coordinating entity, must be documented with a letter from the match-providing entity. Match letters must include the source of matching funds and specific dollar amount. This information must be consistent with the amounts described in the official budget materials.

Are there any specific mistakes to avoid when calculating the required match amount?

To avoid errors in your match calculations, please ensure you calculate the match as a percentage of the total project cost rather than of the federal grant request. All federal request amounts must be in whole dollars. Rounding up for the match requirement is prohibited and will result in your application removal for this grant cycle. For example, an application proposing a 24.99% match will be deemed insufficient and removed from consideration.

Budget

Is a vehicle an allowable expenditure?

Purchasing vehicles with grant funds is not an allowable cost. However, applicants may consider leasing a vehicle or purchasing a trailer/attachment, so long as the trailer and/or attachment is not self-propelling (i.e., have an engine). All costs must be necessary for the project activity; you can include the justification in the budget narrative section of your application package.

Can I use grant funds to purchase food?

No more than 10% of the federal share of grant funds may be used for food purchases in the grant budget. Food purchases should be limited to educational purposes, including but not limited to farm to school sample tables, taste tests, or promotional use. Food costs related to conducting a test run of a new local or regional product are also deemed an appropriate use of funds, as long as no more than 10% of the federal share of the grant contributes to this cost. Grant funds may not be used to purchase food for meals.

Do seeds/plants and livestock fall under the food purchases category?

No, seeds and livestock are considered supplies.

Is construction an allowable cost?

In general, construction is not an allowable cost. Erecting a building or making substantial changes to the footprint of a building would be considered a construction project and therefore, is not an allowable cost.

Greenhouses are the single specific exception. Federal funds may be used for all costs associated with the greenhouse including labor, irrigation, electricity, building, and maintenance supplies.

Replacing old equipment in a school cafeteria is considered a non-construction project and therefore is an allowable cost.

We have several organizations planning to partner together and receive funds. How do I determine where to input salary costs in SF 424A?

Essentially, salaries for personnel that are employed by the applicant would go on the personnel line, and the rest would go under the contractual section (assuming they are contractors). Your budget narrative may include more detailed information on personnel, salaries, and contract-related costs.

I have multiple partners that will need funds to conduct their activities. How would that be allocated?

It would be the responsibility of the coordinating entity, state agency or Indian Tribal Organization to distribute the grant funds to all partners through the approved sub-grant process proposed in the project management section of the application. The coordinating entity, state agency, or Indian Tribal Organization will also be responsible for subgrantees’ reporting and compliance, to include subaward monitoring, tracking timelines, progress monitoring, and management approach for staffing and procurement of contractors.

I would like to offer small travel stipends or reimbursements to training participants. May I include this in the budget?

Yes. Stipends may be an allowable expense, but the applicant should describe how they will be used and how the amount was determined.

Am I required to use the budget narrative template provided in the RFA?

No. However, it is strongly encouraged to use the provided budget narrative template and Microsoft Excel file found in the related documents tab of Grants.gov. If the template is not used, the applicant’s submission must contain the same information and meet all requirements outlined in the RFA.

Application Process

What support will USDA be able to offer applicants during the application process?: USDA is happy to address any general inquiries that applicants have regarding the application process. However, USDA is unable to offer specific guidance on how to craft, structure, or write your proposal. In an effort to provide unbiased support to all those interested in the funding opportunity, USDA will refrain from providing advice that cannot otherwise be obtained through the resources that are publicly available via the Farm to School Grant webpage. Further, on Oct. 1, 2025, USDA will host an RFA informational webinar. Please check the Resources for Farm to School Grant Program Applicants page for information about registering for the webinar.
What happens if I forget to include one of the documents in my Grants.gov application?: The only means of making a correction or adding to an already-submitted Grants.gov application is to resubmit a new, complete application prior to the deadline. USDA will only review the most recently submitted application from your organization received prior to application due date of 12/5/2025. Changes or additions to your application after the submission deadline will not be accepted.
Are there restrictions on file names for any attachment I include with my application package?: File attachment names longer than approximately 50 characters can cause problems processing packages. Please limit the length of your file attachment names. Please use only the following characters when naming your attachments: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore, hyphen, space, period, parenthesis, curly braces, square brackets, ampersand, tilde, exclamation point, comma, semi colon, apostrophe, at sign, number sign, dollar sign, percent sign, plus sign, and equal sign. Additional information can be found on Grants.gov. Use underscore (_) to separate words in naming a file. For example, Budget_Narrative.pdf. We strongly encourage applicants to use descriptive filenames such as Project_Narrative.pdf or Partnership_Letter.pdf.
Our organization does not lobby. How should we complete the form SF-LLL?: Grants.gov will not let you submit the package without this form. If you do not lobby, enter your information in Box 4, FNS’s information in Boxes 6 and 7, and then enter “We do not lobby” in the first required field of Box 10, “not applicable” in all the other required fields in Box 10, and your electronic signature in Box 11.
If I have problems with Grants.gov, can USDA staff help me submit?: No, for technical assistance with the Grants.gov system, reach out to the Grants.gov technical support center at 800‐518‐4726 or support@grants.gov, 24 hours/day, seven days/week. For additional training resources, including video tutorials, visit Grants.gov Training.
I have an active Unique Entity ID (UEI), but I am not able to apply. How do I complete the registration process?: Your organization must register in SAM.gov to apply for Federal grants. Obtaining a UEI does not automatically register your organization in SAM.gov. You must obtain and register your UEI with SAM.gov. Please reach out to SAM.gov for assistance.
Where can I get more help if I still have questions about the Farm to School Program or application?: The USDA Farm to School Team strongly recommends that you read the entire Farm to School Grant RFA before submitting questions. If you still have questions after reading the RFA, you can send your question to the Grant Officer, Anna Arrowsmith, at Anna.Arrowsmith@usda.gov with a cc to SM.FN.FarmToSchool@usda.gov.