MA FRESH Grant Program
The Massachusetts FRESH (Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health) Grant is a statewide farm to school and farm to early care grant program initially established with $1 million in COVID relief funds. The program is administered by the Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
The FRESH Grant program is designed to support K-12 and early education and care programs to start up or expand their local foods purchasing and education efforts through infrastructure investments, staff training, and educational initiatives that lead to program success and sustainability. Providing schools with the resources they need to deepen their farm to school programming is a win for our kids, our farmers, and our communities.
Photo courtesy of Chicopee Fresh
Want to learn more about current or past grantees? Interested in applying?
Current Grant Program Status
An Act Establishing a Massachusetts Farm to School Program (H.565 and S.311) was filed for the 2025-2026 Legislative Session. This bill would establish a permanent farm to school grant program and local food incentive.
With over $4M in funding requested during the first two application rounds, additional funds are needed to fully support schools across the Commonwealth.
Tell your Massachusetts legislators to make the Farm to School FRESH Grant program permanent and establish a local food incentive by supporting the passage of S.311/H.565.