What is the USDA Farm to School program?
The Food and Nutrition Service runs a Farm to School grant program, and USDA's program catalog describes it as support for schools and partners that bring local food, school gardens and food education into child nutrition programs. The grants go to organizations such as schools, school districts, state agencies, tribes and nonprofits, and in some cases to agricultural producers working with schools.
Check the current request for applications for who is eligible, what activities are covered and what match is required.
Farm to School work usually has three parts: buying local food, teaching students about farming and nutrition, and school gardens. A farm may fit into one, two or all three.
Can a farmer apply directly?
Eligibility has varied by funding round, and the safe answer is to read the current notice. Even when a farm cannot lead an application, it can be a named partner. Schools often write stronger applications when they have a committed local supplier who has already talked through volume, pricing and delivery.
Offer a school your time and information before a deadline. A short call to explain what you grow and when it is available costs little.
- Ask the school which activities the grant covers
- Offer a signed letter of support
- Share pricing and availability early
- Ask who the grant lead would be
How do I actually sell to a school?
Start with the food service director, not the principal. Ask how the district buys: through a distributor, through bids, or through informal local purchases under small purchase rules. Procurement rules limit what a school can do, and an honest conversation about those limits saves everyone time.
Be ready with a product list, seasonal availability, a price per unit, packaging, delivery days and your food safety practices.
Many districts also welcome a short tasting or sample, so a director can see the product quality and taste before placing an order.
- Product list with seasons
- Price per case or pound
- Delivery schedule and minimums
- Food safety plan and insurance information
What do schools need from farm suppliers?
Schools value consistency, simple invoicing and products that fit their kitchens, such as washed, uniformly sized produce or cuts of meat processed in an inspected facility. Many ask for liability insurance and for a food safety audit or a written food safety plan.
Ask the director what they need, and do not assume. Requirements vary by district and state.
If you sell meat, eggs or dairy, ask about inspection and handling rules early, since schools often must buy from approved sources and may need documentation on file.
What does the farm get out of it?
A school is a steady buyer with predictable orders during the school year, which can help a farm plan plantings. Prices are often lower than retail, so figure your costs before you commit. Many farms treat schools as one outlet among several rather than the entire business.
Education events, farm visits and school garden support can build goodwill, but track your time so the work stays worth it.
Ask whether the school pays on a set schedule and how invoices are handled. Some districts pay slowly, and a small farm needs to know before it carries a large order.
What mistakes should producers avoid?
Promising more volume than the farm can deliver, skipping the paperwork a school needs, and underpricing because the cause is good. Another is waiting until August to call, when menus and bids are set months earlier.
If you want help, extension offices and state agriculture departments often have farm-to-school coordinators who connect farmers and districts.
How do I get started this school year?
Begin with one school or district and one product. A single item, such as apples, salad greens or ground beef, lets both sides learn how ordering, delivery and billing work before you add anything else.
Visit the kitchen if you can. Seeing the storage space, equipment and prep staff tells you more about what the school can use than any phone call. Ask about delivery windows and who receives the order.
Then follow up after the first delivery. Ask what worked and what did not. Directors talk to each other, and a farm known for reliable delivery often finds the next district calling.
Key takeaways
- Farm to School grants go mainly to schools and organizations, so a farm often joins as a partner.
- Talk to the school food service director early and ask how the district buys.
- Prepare a product list, pricing, delivery details and food safety information.
- Price carefully and promise only the volume you can deliver.
Sources and official links
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Money & Grants Editorial Team. Educational only, not tax, legal or financial advice. See our editorial policy.