The purpose of this state funded competitive grant program is to encourage National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Child Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) sponsors to build new or expand current capacity to grow or procure locally grown and produced ingredients, educate students, staff, teachers and food service professionals about the food system and connect food system education to the availability of nutritious, locally sourced meals made from unprocessed or minimally processed ingredients and served at schools or early education meal programs.
Competitive priority will be given to schools and early education providers with high percentages of students eligible for free and reduced price lunch and shall aim to promote geographic equity.
Additional competitive priority will be given to districts and schools in chronically underperforming status and the Strategic Transformation Region
Eligible MA FRESH applicants include early childhood programs that offer meals through the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP) and K–12 schools that offer meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Applicants should indicate if the application is to benefit a single school or early education program, or a district/regional program. If an organization would like to apply to become a sponsor of NSLP or CACFP email Nutrition@doe.mass.edu . MA FRESH applicants may or may not have received MA FRESH grant funding in the past.
Eligibility to receive MA FRESH funds is contingent on the applicant's good standing within the Office of Food and Nutrition Programs and impact of grant activities must be associated with a site where NSLP/CACFP meals are served. Information about these sites can be obtained from the Food Service Director, Program Operator, ESE Liaison or Business Manager.
State Line Item 7010-1192
Approximately $570,000 is available for Sponsors of Child Nutrition Programs in good standing, operating NSLP or CACFP in Massachusetts. The funds are prioritized for sites who incorporate or have clear plans to incorporate unprocessed or minimally processed local foods into meal service, as well as those who have high percentages of students eligible for free and reduced lunch. Grant awards shall also aim to promote geographic equity. Grant proposal can be submitted in the follow funding brackets. Grants will be awarded at no more than $50,000.
Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available, it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.
The program is designed to support K–12 and early education and care programs to start up or expand their local food procurement capacity, integration of unprocessed or minimally processed local foods into meal service, and food system education efforts. Applicants will be asked to indicate all categories of activities their MA FRESH application seeks to fund. Project activities may include but are not limited to:
Funds cannot be used to purchase food served as part of a reimbursable meal in Child Nutrition Programs or sold as a competitive food and beverage or fundraiser. Continuing existing activities, projects, or covering costs for existing labor will not be considered. Funds can only be used to fund new staff time or salaries as a result of new or expanded initiatives.
Upon Approval – 6/30/2024. If Applicable, pending appropriation and the meeting of grant requirements, awarded grantees may be eligible for a continuation grant in Fiscal Year 2025.
Office for Food and Nutrition Programs
Maggie Nowak
Friday, November 17, 2023*
Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on the date due.*All responses must be received by the due date listed above. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Responses not submitted on time will not be reviewed. Applicants applying after the due date may be notified their application was received late and will not be reviewed. Applications must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions below. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. If you need assistance with submitting your application, please reach out to the contact person listed on this funding opportunity.
Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)
Part III — Required Program Information
Part IV — Letters of Support (required for external partnership)
Child Nutrition Program Sponsor awardees will adhere to all Federal, State, and Local procurement laws and standards, including, if applicable, as found in 7 CFR Part 210.21 and 2 CFR 200.317 through 2 CFR 200.326
All equipment competitively procured using these grant funds must be necessary, reasonable, and allocable.
State Contract User Guide
Questions and Answers — Applicants can find all the questions asked regarding this funding opportunity and DESE's response here.
Please use the provided original Word or Excel formats (e.g., not converted to another file type; with the exception of the signed Part I, which should be converted to PDF)
Email a completed application with all required forms and supporting documents to Maggie Nowak . Within three business days of receipt, you will receive a confirmation email.
Recipients: Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved budget and Part I in EdGrants. Once selected, recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.
Last Updated: October 13, 2023
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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