Governor Cuomo Announces Record $1.5 Million in Awards to Support Farm-To-School Programs Across the State

Funding Will Support 18 Projects, Benefitting Over 420,000 Students

Program Part of Governor's Comprehensive "No Student Goes Hungry Program"

Guidelines Released to Support Expanded Purchasing of Local Agricultural Products for School Lunches

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $1.5 million in awards to support Farm-to-School programs across New York. The funding has been awarded to 18 projects and educational organizations that serve students in Kindergarten through Grade 12, and will benefit over 420,000 students. Funding for the Farm-to-School program was doubled in the State's 2018-19 Budget and is a key compenent of the Governor's No Student Goes Hungry initiative.

"New York is home to world-class agricultural products, and the Farm-to-School program connects these fresh, locally sourced ingredients to our students," Governor Cuomo said. "This record funding delivers on our promise to provide fresh, healthy meals to all New York students and spur economic growth for our farmers and growers in every corner of the State."

"The nutrition children receive at school every day is an important part of their growth and focus in the classroom," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "With this innovative program, we are ensuring that hundreds of thousands of children across New York have access to locally grown fruits and vegetables. New York is home to world-class farm products, and these projects as part of the Farm-to-School program deliver results for kids in school and farmers in every region of our state."

The award funding will be used to hire Farm-to-School coordinators; train food service staff; provide nutrition in classrooms and cafeterias; purchase equipment to support food preparation; and support the purchase of more local farm products, such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, and herbs, used in school lunches.

The Farm-to-School program increases the volume and variety of locally grown and produced food in schools, improves student health and educates young people about agriculture, in addition to providing new markets for New York's farmers. The program also supports the expansion of the NY Thursdays Program, a school meal initiative that uses local, farm-fresh foods on Thursday throughout the school year.

This is the fourth round of funding awarded to support farm-to-school programs in schools and educational organizations. Since the Governor launched New York's Farm-to-School program in 2015, more than $3.5 million has been invested to support 43 farm-to-school projects benefitting 255 school districts across the state.

The list of organizations to receive Farm-to-School grant funding is below. A full list of project descriptions is available here.

Western New York

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County: $92,479
• Wellsville Central School District: $39,211
• Franklinville Central School District: $67,055
• Forestville Central School District: $99,235
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County: $80,457

Finger Lakes

• Genesee Valley Central School District: $50,621
• Foodlink INC.: $66,936

Southern Tier

• The Rural Health Network SCNY, Inc: $99,506
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County: $92,829

Central New York

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wayne County: $100,000
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County: $99,989

North Country

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County: $99,939

Mohawk Valley

• Oneida Herkimer Madison BOCES: $100,000

Hudson Valley

• Poughkeepsie Farm Project, NY Food for NY Kids: $100,000

Capital Region

• Capital Roots Inc: $97,220
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County: $36,226
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County: $93,582

Long Island

• Glen Cove City School District: $84,712

For the full press release, please see the Governor's website.