NEW ULM — New Ulm Area Catholic Schools (NUACS) was among 63 Minnesota benefiting from a $1 million Farm to School grant program sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2025.

NUACS was awarded a $8,142 grant. Butterfield-Odin Public Schools was awarded $6,062.40. Immanuel Lutheran School of Gaylord was awarded $2,500.

“We are excited to be a recipient of this grant. It allows us to provide more Minnesota-grown foods that are more locally-sourced,” said NUACS President Sr. Julie Brandt.

The Farm to School program has education value too.

“This June, a team from our school will participate in three days of training hosted by the MDA to learn more about the program so it can be integrated in school curriculum,” Brandt said.

Nate Struffert, NUACS food service director, said the school applies for the Farm to School grant every year.

“I use the grant funds to purchase meat and produce including fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers,” he said.

Funds support the purchase of Minnesota-grown and raised food, creates market opportunities for local farmers and improves the quality of school and home-based childcare meals,.

“When schools and home-based child care serve local food, everybody benefits — our farmers, kids, communities and our economy,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “We’re proud to help schools and childcare providers incorporate more local food into their meals. Minnesota kids deserve the best, and Minnesota farms can provide the best.”

Recipients received grants to purchase whole unprocessed or minimally processed foods that are at least 80% grown or raised in Minnesota.

Grants ranged from $2,500 to $35,000 and support $866,089 in local food purchases. Applicants can also apply for more funding that requires a 1-to-1 match to purchase equipment that supports local sourcing efforts.

A total of $82,007 was awarded to 12 schools and early childhood centers for items including flat top grills, refrigeration units, tilt skillets and food processors. The tools help improve food safety and make scratch cooking with local foods more accessible and efficient.

Funding came from the MDA Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) program that administers grants to farmers, agribusinesses, schools, and more across Minnesota to advance state agriculture and renewable energy.

For more information, visit https://www.state.mn.us/farm-school-early-child-care-programs.