New for the 2023/24 school year, Farm to Cafeteria Canada, in partnership with the Schad Foundation, is pleased to announce flexible grants to support schools looking to get started on their farm or local food to school journeys. These 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.
The term “Local food to school” can be used instead of “farm to school.” This term is preferred in some regions and Indigenous communities. It reflects the diversity of local and traditional foods that can be enjoyed in schools from coast to coast to coast, many of which are not sourced from a farm.
Seed Grants provide schools with access to funds, knowledge and inspiration to ‘Dig in’ to farm to school by making small, positive changes in their school food environments. They are best suited for schools that are looking to get started, although schools that have an existing project that could use a boost are also eligible to apply. Seed grants can serve as an excellent stepping stone to our Farm to School Canada Grants program.
September 11, 2023
Grant application window OPENS
September 26 & 28, 2023
Informational webinars for applicants
October 27, 2023 Grant
Application window CLOSES
December 8, 2023
Grant recipients notified
January – June 2024
School projects are implemented
Networking and knowledge sharing opportunities will be hosted by F2CC
June 21, 2024
Deadline for participating schools to complete grant experience survey
Seed Grant application window for the 2023/24 school year is now closed.
Follow these steps to apply:
Applications are open to schools (kindergarten to grade 12) across Canada, except British Columbia. Schools in BC are encouraged to apply for provincially available funding through the Farm to School BC grant.
Schools in Indigenous communities/nations and schools that serve a high-proportion of low-income, racialized or other equity-deserving communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Available grants will be equitably distributed across 5 geographic regions:
If you represent a school in BC, please apply for a grant through Farm to School BC.
Looking for ideas on how the grants can be implemented in your school community?
Learn more about the grants and check out stories from past grant recipients here.
Grant seekers can also explore the Garden Grant Program offered by our partners at Whole Kids Foundation. These grants support edible education spaces and are accessible to K-12 schools across Canada, as well as registered charities in Canada that serve students from K-12. Learn more.
Regional grants are available in select provinces which can also serve as a great starting point for many schools. To learn more, check out Other Funding Opportunities.