Farm to School Grant

Farm to School Grant

Funder: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Status: West Central Missouri Community Action Agency was awarded this grant as one of two entities in Missouri receiving funds in the most recent funding cycle.

Project Duration: Two-year project

Geographic Scope: West Central's nine-county region, with specific focus on Nevada (Vernon County, Missouri) and El Dorado Springs (Cedar County, Missouri) school districts located within the Interstate-49 corridor

Focus Areas:

Expanding local produce in school districts

Building on regional agricultural strengths

Developing rural food system partnerships

Pre-processing foods business plan research

Project Objectives:
1. Increase number of schools purchasing local food
2. Raise visibility of farm to school in the region
3. Conduct business plan research for pre-processing foods

Background: The USDA invested $12 million in Farm to School Grants in the most recent funding year, awarding funds to 176 grantees—the most projects funded since the program began in 2013.

Mission: West Central's Food Systems Program aims to increase food security for every individual, family, and community in the nine-county region through dynamic transformational work, improving local food systems by creating and improving opportunity for growers, makers, and eaters.

Contact: info@wcmcaa.org or 660-476-2185

Additional Information: More details available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/grant/fy-2021-farm-school-grants