By Blake Jackson
Governor Kathy Hochul announced during Farm-to-School Month that $10 million is available through Round 3 of New York’s Regional School Food Infrastructure (RSFI) Grant Program to expand access to local food for New York schoolchildren.
The program funds projects that enhance meal preparation and distribution in Kindergarten through Grade 12 schools. Initially unveiled in the Governor’s 2023 State of the State, the RSFI program provides $50 million over five years to help schools process and prepare fresh, nutritious meals, increase the use of locally sourced foods, and support New York farmers. The initiative highlights the state’s commitment to reducing food insecurity while bolstering the agricultural sector.
“As this irresponsible federal government shutdown continues following the Trump administration’s dangerous cuts to food programs, I’m proud to say that here in New York State, we’re continuing to advance our goals of reducing food insecurity while increasing market opportunities for farmers,” Governor Hochul said.
“Our Regional School Food Infrastructure program brings our farmers and our schools together, supporting our agricultural industry while ensuring that our children have enough local, fresh meals they need to learn and thrive. The funding for these projects will provide the much-needed support to help schools prepare delicious, fresh foods from scratch for our students in their own facilities, further strengthening the resiliency of our food system.”
Administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the RSFI program provides schools with resources to aggregate, store, process, and prepare farm products on-site. The program also promotes workforce development, offering training in culinary arts, food handling, logistics, and food production for school staff and students.
The funding announcement coincided with a visit to the East End Food Institute on Long Island, where Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball celebrated the progress of a state-supported Food Hub funded in part through Round 2 of the RSFI program.
The facility will support multiple school districts, offering centralized food aggregation, processing, and distribution, along with workforce training for staff.
Round 3 proposals are due January 20, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. For more information, including eligibility and application details, visit agriculture.ny.gov/Funding-Opportunities.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fatcamera
Categories: New York, Education, Government & Policy