Supporting the Use of Traditional Indigenous Foods in the Child Nutrition Programs Cooperative Agreement

Exciting Updates!

 

The deadline for the request for applications has been extended until April 8, 2024. We encourage all who are interested to apply!

Do you have questions? We are here to help! We will be holding virtual office hours on Tuesday, March 12 (3-4 p.m. EST) and Thursday, March 14 (12-1 p.m. EST) to answer your questions about the request for applications. You may call in anytime during the virtual office hours and subject matter experts and the grants officer will be there to assist you. Please register below:

• Tuesday, March 12 at 3:00 p.m. 
• Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 p.m. 

Request for Applications

On Jan. 18, 2024, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) posted a request for applications for the Supporting the Use of Traditional Indigenous Foods in the Child Nutrition Programs Cooperative Agreement on Grants.gov. In fiscal year (FY) 2024, USDA FNS will award $2 million in total funding to up to four (4) organizations to provide regionally focused training and technical assistance to school nutrition professionals on procurement, preparation, and crediting of traditional Indigenous foods, including the use of cooperator and FNS-developed resources and tools. The cooperators, with FNS guidance and approval, will also develop culturally relevant nutrition education materials for students to accompany the traditional Indigenous foods that are served, and the cooperators will train school nutrition professionals and other school staff on providing nutrition education to students.

Funds may be used to provide training, technical assistance, and nutrition education to support the use of traditional Indigenous foods in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, Seamless Summer Option, and/or Child and Adult Care Food Program At-Risk Afterschool Meals.

Who May Apply

The Lead Applicant entity must be led and staffed primarily by members of the Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Native Hawaiians but may have partners that are not. Eligible entities include non-profit organizations; school food authorities that participate in NSLP; tribal government owned entities, arms, or instrumentalities; Native Hawaiian Organization as recognized by the Department of the Interior; and/or other non-governmental entities including Tribal Colleges & Universities. Applicants must demonstrate existing relationships, experience and expertise in training, technical assistance, school nutrition, Indigenous foods, and nutrition education. Fiscal sponsorships of eligible entities are allowed.

Application Due Date

Full grant applications are due via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm ET April 8, 2024. Applications received after the deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be reviewed or considered. FNS will not accept mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications. Applications submitted without the required supporting documents, forms, and certifications will not be considered. Applications not submitted via the Grants.gov portal will not be considered. For questions regarding applications, please contact the grant officer, Anna Arrowsmith.

Important Dates and Information

Informational webinar recording

Letter of Intent Due
Feb. 19, 2024 by 11:59 pm ET

Questions and Answers Posted to Grants.gov (under the Related Documents tab)
 

Application Submission Deadline
April 8, 2024, by 11:59 pm ET

Awards Announced
April 2024