These grants are intended to support schools who are just getting started on their farm or local food to school journey, or smaller projects that can be completed within one school year. Regardless of where a school is at, the grants are intended to help improve school food environments by increasing access to healthy, local and culturally appropriate foods in schools and/or improve opportunities for hands-on learning through food and food systems. Celebrating the diversity of school communities across the country, how the funds can be spent is flexible and depends on each school’s unique goals and needs.
The new grantee schools are set to actively engage students in the whole range of local food systems from visiting local farms and building gardens to cooking and preserving food together and sharing it in ways that promote food literacy and community connections in collaborative student-led projects, like planning, building and maintaining a school greenhouse, or launching a weekly smoothie or salad bar featuring local ingredients.
Schools are connecting with local Elders, knowledge keepers, producers, and chefs to inspire and enhance learning of students and staff alike.
If you’re curious what the results of some of these projects may look like, check out the Inspiring Stories shared by our 2023/2024 cohort.
Beyond the school-based program activities, grant-recipient schools will also have opportunities to connect, share, and learn from each other, facilitated by Farm to Cafeteria Canada and our regional partners. This collaborative approach ensures a broader impact and a collective effort toward fostering sustainable and inclusive food practices in schools across the country.
Learn more about our Dig In Grant Stream
The 2024/25 Dig In! Seed Grants are made possible thanks to the generous support of The Schad Foundation.
