Indigenous Foodways Grants for Food Sovereignty (Canada)

Deadline: 08-May-2026

The Indigenous Foodways in Schools Grants support Indigenous school communities across Canada in strengthening food security, food sovereignty, and land-based learning through culturally grounded school food initiatives. Farm to Cafeteria Canada is offering grants of CAD 5,000 to CAD 20,000 for schools and eligible community organizations to support infrastructure, traditional food practices, Indigenous knowledge, and intergenerational learning for K–12 students.

Overview

The Indigenous Foodways in Schools Grants are designed to help Indigenous school communities in Canada build stronger, culturally rooted food systems within school settings.

The grants support projects that allow schools and connected community organizations to:

• Improve access to culturally relevant and nourishing food
• Strengthen Indigenous food security and food sovereignty
• Integrate Indigenous foodways into daily school life
• Promote land-based and intergenerational learning
• Build long-term school-community food systems

This initiative is led by Farm to Cafeteria Canada in partnership with Whole Kids, a pillar of Whole Foods Market Foundation, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and regional partners.

What the Grants Support

The funding supports practical, school-based activities and infrastructure that help Indigenous students access traditional and healthy foods.

Eligible projects may include support for:

• Infrastructure and equipment, such as:
  • Canning tools
  • Refrigerators
  • Freezers
  • Fishing gear
  • Gardening tools
  • Greenhouses
  • Food preparation equipment
• Food harvesting and preparation activities, such as:
  • Harvesting
  • Fishing
  • Growing food
  • Preserving food
  • Preparing culturally relevant meals and snacks
• School-based cultural learning, including:
  • Indigenous foodways and traditional practices
  • Indigenous worldviews
  • Land-based education
  • Daily school food activities tied to culture and community
• Relationship-building and community engagement, such as:
  • Working with Elders
  • Involving Knowledge Keepers
  • Connecting with local harvesters and community members
  • Supporting intergenerational teaching and learning

Grant Amount

Eligible applicants can request between:

• CAD 5,000 minimum
• CAD 20,000 maximum

This funding can be used to strengthen both immediate school food activities and longer-term community food system goals.

Why This Grant Matters

This grant is important because it goes beyond school meals. It supports Indigenous-led, culturally grounded food systems in schools.

Key benefits include:

• Strengthening Indigenous food sovereignty
• Supporting community-based food security
• Revitalizing traditional food knowledge
• Creating opportunities for land-based learning
• Building stronger relationships between students, Elders, and community members
• Supporting the social, cultural, and intergenerational development of children and youth

For many Indigenous communities, school food initiatives can also become a pathway to reconnect children with culture, land, language, and local knowledge systems.

Who Is Eligible?

The grants are open to a wide range of school communities across Canada.

Eligible School Applicants

Applicants may include:

• Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K–12) schools
• Schools located in Indigenous communities
• Schools serving a high proportion of Indigenous students
• Schools in:
  • Rural areas
  • Remote areas
  • Urban areas

Previous Grant Recipients Also Eligible

The following applicants can still apply:

• Schools that previously received a Farm to Cafeteria Canada seed grant
• Schools that received a Farm to School Canada Grant before 2022

Community Organizations May Also Apply

A community organization may be eligible if it:

• Has a clear connection to schools
• Demonstrates it will support Indigenous food security and sovereignty
• Commits to delivering the proposed project in partnership with or in support of schools

What Selected Schools Receive Beyond Funding

Selected schools and eligible organizations will receive more than just grant money.

Additional support includes:

• Access to practical resources
• Training opportunities
• Ongoing technical support
• Guidance from Farm to Cafeteria Canada and partners
• Connections to a broader school food network

This can help communities build more sustainable and long-term school food systems.

How the Grant Works

The program is designed to fund projects that are rooted in Indigenous community priorities and school-based food practices.

How It Works Step by Step

1. Identify a school-based food project that supports Indigenous foodways.
2. Plan how the project will benefit K–12 students and the school community.
3. Show how the project supports food security, food sovereignty, or land-based learning.
4. If applying as a community organization, clearly explain the connection to schools.
5. Request funding for eligible equipment, infrastructure, or food-related activities.
6. If selected, use the grant to implement the project and access training and technical support.

Common Tips for Applicants

To make an application stronger, applicants should:

• Clearly explain the school-community connection
• Show how the project is culturally grounded and Indigenous-led
• Include practical activities, not just general ideas
• Demonstrate student benefit for K–12 learners
• Highlight the role of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, or community members
• Show how the project can continue beyond the grant period

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common issues when preparing a proposal:

• Submitting a project that is not clearly connected to a school
• Failing to explain how Indigenous foodways are central to the project
• Focusing only on equipment without describing activities or learning outcomes
• Not showing how students will participate
• Overlooking community partnerships or cultural leadership
• Giving vague goals without a clear implementation plan

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Indigenous Foodways in Schools Grants program?

It is a grant program that supports Indigenous school communities in Canada to strengthen food security, food sovereignty, and culturally grounded school food initiatives for K–12 students.

How much funding is available?

Eligible applicants can apply for grants ranging from CAD 5,000 to CAD 20,000.

Who is offering these grants?

The grants are offered by Farm to Cafeteria Canada, in partnership with Whole Kids, Whole Foods Market Foundation, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and regional partners.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include K–12 schools in Indigenous communities, schools serving a high proportion of Indigenous students, and eligible community organizations with a clear school connection.

Can previous Farm to Cafeteria Canada grantees apply again?

Yes. Schools that previously received a Farm to Cafeteria Canada seed grant remain eligible, as do schools that received a Farm to School Canada Grant before 2022.

What kinds of activities can the grant support?

The grant can support infrastructure and equipment, food harvesting and preservation, gardening, fishing, traditional food preparation, land-based learning, and engagement with Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

Do selected schools receive support beyond funding?

Yes. Selected schools can also receive resources, training, and ongoing technical support from Farm to Cafeteria Canada and its partners.

Conclusion

The Indigenous Foodways in Schools Grants offer a meaningful opportunity for Indigenous school communities in Canada to strengthen culturally rooted food systems, support student wellbeing, and advance food sovereignty through school-based action. With funding of CAD 5,000 to CAD 20,000, plus training and technical support, the program can help schools and communities build lasting, land-connected food initiatives for children and youth.

For more information, visit Farm to Cafeteria Canada.