Providers of summer nutrition programs are invited to apply for a Farm to Summer Meal Site grant to educate children about nutrition and promote healthy attitudes towards food choices.
The purpose of the Farm to Summer Meal Site Grant is to encourage gardening projects, incorporate local foods into meal programs, build healthier environments and engage children with fun and interactive nutrition education.
The grants are administered by the Division of Agriculture Farm to School Program through a coordinated effort between the Alaska State Department of Education & Early Development’s Child Nutrition programs and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Team Nutrition Program.
Eligible applicants include school districts or agencies participating in the National School Lunch Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program. Grants may be used to purchase gardening supplies or other materials to support activities such as growing, harvesting or cooking local foods.
The Division intends to award up to $750 per summer meal site or $150 per day care homes. Approximately 35 to 60 summer meal sites will be chosen for a total of $28,000 in grants.
Applications will be accepted Jan. 22 through Feb. 29. For more information and to apply, go to http://dnr.alaska.gov/ag/ag_grants.htm.
