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Dig In! Seed Grants

Dig in to Farm to School!  

Seed Grant application window is closed.
In partnership with The Schad Foundation, Farm to Cafeteria Canada is pleased to announce the Dig In Seed Grants for a second year, following a successful launch in the 2023/24 school year. These flexible grants are intended to help improve school food environments across Canada 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.

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Information for applicants

What are the grants?

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.

  • Schools can apply for any amount between $500 and $3,000.
  • The total grants available will depend on the individual amounts requested by schools. We expect at least 30 grants to be awarded in 2024. 
  • Grant project activities should be implemented by the end of the 2024/25 school year.

Key dates

September 9, 2024
Grant application window OPENS

September 24 & 25, 2024
Informational webinars for applicants

  • English – Tuesday, September 24th 12-1pm PST (Recording)
  • English (Ontario nourish to flourish grants) – Wednesday September 25th 3:30-4:30 EST (Recording)
  • French – Wednesday, September 25th at 12-1pm PST (Recording)

October 21, 2024 Grant
Application window CLOSES

December, 2024
Grant recipients notified

January – June 2025
School projects are implemented
Networking and knowledge sharing opportunities will be hosted by F2CC

June 13, 2025
Deadline for participating schools to complete grant experience survey

How to apply

Follow these steps to apply:

  1. Review the Grant Guidelines.
  2. Register and attend an informational webinar (optional):
    • English – Tuesday, September 24th 12-1pm PST (Recording)
    • English (Ontario nourish to flourish grants) – Wednesday September 25th 3:30-4:30 EST (Recording)
    • French – Wednesday, September 25th at 12-1pm PST (Recording)
  3. Plan your project and use the template to prepare your application responses (optional, but recommended as this template includes tips not included in the online form).
  4. Complete the online form and submit your application

Apply

Who can apply & how grants will be selected

Applications are open to schools (kindergarten to grade 12) across Canada. Schools in Ontario must apply through nourish to flourish Ontario School Grants application.

Available grants will be equitably distributed across 6 geographic regions:

  • British Columbia
  • Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba)
  • Territories (Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories
  • Ontario (applications accepted only through nourish to flourish Ontario School Grant application)
  • Quebec
  • Atlantic provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island)

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. Please reach out to us at grants@farmtocafeteriacanada.ca if you have questions or would like support submitting your application.

Get Inspired!

Looking for ideas on how the grants can be implemented in your school community?

2023/24 Dig In! Seed Grant Recipients
ALBERTA
SASKATCHEWAN
  • Clearwater River Dene School - Clearwater River, SK
MANITOBA
ONTARIO
QUÉBEC
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
YUKON
NEW BRUNSWICK
NOVA SCOTIA
NEWFOUNDLAND/ LABRADOR

Learn more about the grants and check out stories from past grant recipients here. 

Other grant opportunities for getting started

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.