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Grant Opportunity Portal - Grant Opportunity Profile |
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Grant Opportunity Profile
Grant Opportunity ID |
AGM01-FTS23-2023 |
Agency |
Department of Agriculture & Markets |
Grant Opportunity |
2023 Farm to School Competitive Grant Program |
Contact Name |
Tim Pezzolesi |
Contact Email |
FarmToSchool@agriculture.ny.gov |
Solicitation Profile |
Farm-to-School is the promotion and use of foods produced by New York State farmers in meals served in cafeterias of K-12 schools. Associations between farms and schools through the cafeteria and classroom can enhance the quality of food served. With over 700 school districts in New York State, there is the opportunity to foster relationships among New York State farmers, food hubs, producers, processors, and distributors to benefit school-age children.
While serving New York State produced food in school cafeterias may seem simple, developing Farm-to-School connections highlights several challenges, particularly the lack of an established infrastructure or network of stakeholders that includes all the necessary parties: farmers, food service directors, food service contract management companies, food distributors, processors, agricultural organizations, and commodity organizations. Other challenges include:
• Seasonality: Farmers plan their crops in January, long before schools make purchasing decisions and place bids for products in the summer. In addition, the summer growing season is when schools are not in session. • Inconsistent quality, quantity, and sizing: schools require produce to be served in standard units and meet specifications. • Processing and packaging: schools require vegetables and fruits to be processed and packaged in standard units. • Bidding: sending and reviewing bids from individual farmers can be time- consuming and complex for school procurement and fiscal staff. • Delivery/pick up: distribution can be complicated when purchasing from multiple growers. • Lack of equipment and skills to store, prepare and serve fresh produce procured for school meals programs. • Connecting diverse populations with their culturally appropriate foods.
The New York State Farm-to-School Competitive Grants Program began in 2015 to increase school’s purchase of local specialty crops by building relationships between schools and New York farm product suppliers. Secondary goals of the program include increasing agricultural education opportunities for students, improving nutrition and exposing students to new, local, culinary experiences.
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Full Announcement Details |
Announcement Link | |
Applications Due (Date / Time)
January 24, 2023 / 04:00 PM ET |
Bidder's Conference(s)/Application Workshop(s)
None available
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Anticipated Award Date | Saturday, April 1, 2023 |
Anticipated Initial Contract Length | 24 Months |
Total Funding Available | $850,000.00 |
Anticipated Amount of Award(s) | $25,000 - $100,000 |
Narrative | |
Letter of Intent | --Select-- |
Letter of Intent Due | |
Narrative | |
Questions Due Date | Friday, December 30, 2022 |
Questions and Answers Narrative | All questions about this RFP must be submitted in writing (fax or e-mail) to:
Tim Pezzolesi
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
10B Airline Drive Albany, NY 12235
Fax: (518) 457- 2716
Phone: (518) 457-7076
E-mail: FarmToSchool@agriculture.ny.gov
All questions must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on December 30, 2022. Applicants must note that all clarifications are to be resolved prior to the submission of a proposal. A list of questions about the program which are received from potential applicants, and answers to those questions, as well as any changes, additions or deletions to the RFP, will be published on the NY State Contract Reporter website (https://www.nyscr.ny.gov) on or before January 10, 2023. Such official addenda are the only authorized method used to communicate substantive information, including the clarification or modification of the timeline, terms, or other requirements of this RFP.
All bidders are responsible for keeping informed of any revisions to this invitation. All addenda shall be incorporated into the RFP which will be part of the awarded contract. If you are unable to access the NY State Contract Reporter website, please contact Carrie Lindemann or Ryan von Linden at procurement.info@agriculture.ny.gov.
A non-mandatory “bidders conference” grant workshop will be held November 30, 2022, at 12:00 pm. The workshop will be recorded and posted to the department’s website. |
Questions and Answers Posting Type | Link |
Questions and Answers Posting Date | 1/10/2023 12:00:00 AM |
Questions and Answers Link or Upload | Click here |
Eligible Applicants | Not-For-Profit, Governmental Entity, Tribal Organization |
Target Population(s) | |
Service Area(s) | Agricultural Supports |
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