Chef Ann Foundation Distributes $4.8 Million in Grants to Support Local School Food Systems

The Chef Ann Foundation announced it has allocated $4.8 million in grants to eight partnership groups through its PLANTS program, aimed at transforming nutrition and agriculture in schools. Launched with an initial funding from the USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, the PLANTS program focuses on building resilient and equitable K-12 food supply chains via scratch cooking and local food sourcing.

From nearly 100 applications, representing 123 schools across 38 states and U.S. territories, the selected projects emphasize collaboration between school districts and local food system partners. The grants will fund initiatives in states including Alaska, Maine, Michigan, West Virginia, Washington, New England, and Iowa, each partnership receiving around $600,000 to innovate and improve school meal programs.

In addition to financial support, the grantees will access three years of extensive technical assistance, tools, training from several key organizations in the sector, and project evaluation to bolster the effectiveness of their efforts. The initiative not only aims to enhance student nutrition but also supports broader community and environmental well-being.