Applications open for Farm to School Canada Grants Program

Deadline: 08-May-2026

The Farm to School Canada Grant Program provides one-time grants of up to CAD 10,000 to schools across Canada to improve student access to healthy, locally sourced meals and enhance food literacy through hands-on learning. Schools can use funding for meal service improvements, kitchen equipment, minor space modifications, and community partnerships, while ensuring equitable and sustainable program implementation.

What Is the Farm to School Canada Grant Program?

The program supports Canadian schools in implementing or enhancing meal services that focus on healthy, locally sourced ingredients and food literacy education. It combines:

• Healthy meal services with diverse food options aligned with Canada’s Food Guide

• Experiential learning opportunities like gardening, harvesting, and meal preparation

• Partnerships with community experts such as farmers, chefs, dietitians, and Elders

Schools are encouraged to increase student consumption of seasonal, culturally relevant foods, set local food procurement targets, and gradually expand their local sourcing each year.

Key Program Features

• One-time grants: Up to CAD 10,000 per school

• Number of recipients: Approximately 20 schools across Canada

• Eligible activities: Capacity-building, kitchen equipment, minor space upgrades, initial local food purchases, and celebratory meal events

• Non-eligible costs: Ongoing food purchases or school staff salaries

Program Requirements

• Meal service must occur at least 8 times in the first year and 20 times in the second year

• At least five food options per meal to allow students to create balanced, customized meals

• Accessible to all students, regardless of financial means, with clear equity strategies

• Schools must implement an education strategy linking meal services to food systems learning

Who Is Eligible?

• Schools from kindergarten to grade 12 across Canada

• Urban, rural, and remote schools

• Indigenous, public, private, and independent schools

• Schools that previously received Farm to Cafeteria Canada seed grants or Farm to School Canada grants before 2022 are also eligible

• Lead applicant: Must be a school principal or vice-principal

• Schools must demonstrate community partnerships for program planning and implementation

How Schools Can Use the Funding

• Meal service improvements: Salad bars, service stations, or other infrastructure to support student choice

• Kitchen equipment & utensils: Appliances, cookware, reusable dishes, and utensils

• Minor space modifications: Adjustments to support meal service or food preparation

• Capacity-building activities: Collaboration with farmers, chefs, Elders, gardeners, dietitians, or community organizations

• Initial local food purchases: To establish relationships with producers or for a celebratory launch meal

Sustainability & Equity

• Schools must outline long-term strategies to maintain meal services and activities without ongoing grant support

• Ensure participation is accessible to all students, promoting equity and inclusion

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly demonstrate partnerships with community members

• Highlight strategies for sustainability beyond the grant period

• Show commitment to food literacy programming and hands-on student engagement

• Emphasize plans for local and culturally relevant foods

• Describe how equitable access will be ensured for all students

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the maximum grant amount?
   Up to CAD 10,000 per school.

2. Which schools are eligible?
   All Canadian K-12 schools, including Indigenous, public, private, independent, rural, urban, and remote schools.

3. Can funding be used for ongoing food costs or staff salaries?
   No. Grants cannot cover ongoing food expenses or staff salaries. Schools must outline alternative funding strategies.

4. Do schools need community partnerships?
   Yes. Applicants must demonstrate support from farmers, chefs, dietitians, Elders, or other local experts for program planning and student learning.

5. How many times must meal services occur?
   At least 8 times in year one and 20 times in year two.

6. Can schools that previously received grants apply again?
   Yes. Schools that received a Farm to Cafeteria Canada seed grant or a Farm to School Canada grant before 2022 are eligible to apply.

7. What activities are supported besides meal services?
   Hands-on food literacy, gardening, harvesting, cooking workshops, minor space modifications, kitchen equipment, and initial local food purchases.

Conclusion

The Farm to School Canada Grant Program provides Canadian schools with funding and resources to enhance healthy, locally sourced meal services and promote food literacy. With up to CAD 10,000, schools can engage students in sustainable food practices, build community partnerships, and foster equitable access to nutritious meals for all students.

For more information, visit Farm to Cafeteria Canada.