New York Has Opened School Food Grant Funding
Governor Kathy Hochul released $10 million in infrastructure grants to boost local school food access.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Organic Food
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Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $10 million in funding is available through the Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program. This initiative focuses on expanding storage, processing, and food facility capabilities across several regions in New York.
Why it matters
The program aims to combat food insecurity while simultaneously strengthening the market for local agricultural products. By investing in regional infrastructure, the state seeks to create a sustainable pipeline for bringing New York-grown food into school cafeterias.
The grant program represents a total $50 million investment over five years, with $10 million dedicated to the current fourth round. Eligible applicants can utilize funds for capital projects focused on food aggregation, storage, and processing facilities.
The players
Kathy Hochul
She is the Governor of New York who oversees state-level infrastructure and agricultural initiatives.
The details
The program is open to school districts, BOCES, municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations that propose projects supporting multiple districts. Successful proposals must also include provisions for workforce development training in logistics, culinary arts, and food processing.
Timeline
The program was first announced in 2023.
The Round 4 funding was announced on September 25, 2026.
Proposals for Round 4 are due by January 22, 2027.
Culture Shift
This initiative follows the multi-year framework set by the Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program to modernize school nutrition systems. It marks a continued effort to decentralize food sourcing by moving away from dependence on long-distance supply chains.
Local school districts and communities in the Capital Region, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, and Finger Lakes may see expanded access to locally sourced meals as infrastructure projects are completed. Residents benefit from the development of regional food hubs that support local farmers and provide vocational training opportunities.
The takeaway
This funding represents a long-term investment in regional food security that links agricultural output directly to educational facilities. Organizations looking to participate should ensure their proposals include robust workforce training components to meet program requirements.
What happens next
Proposals for the fourth round of funding must be submitted by January 22, 2027. Following this, the state will initiate one additional final round of funding for the program.
Further reading
Learn more about local food initiatives in the Organic Food section.
More information
View full program details and submission requirements on the State grant application portal.
Live Poll
Should your local schools be required to prioritize sourcing food from local farmers?
