Schools recieve food grants

COLFAX — The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) released its third round of Farm to School purchasing grants, awarding four Whitman County School Districts $20,000 each.

Garfield School District, Palouse School District, Tekoa School District and Pullman are all on this round of funding for the Farm to School Purchasing grant, allowing the schools to purchase foods grown, raised, caught or foraged by producers in Washington state.

The WSDA received 132 applications this round, with requests totaling over $8.5 million, which they reported was more than double the available funding. Out of 295 school districts in Washington state, 100 applied for the grant, a 50 percent increase from the previous grant cycle.

“This growth in applications demonstrates a strong interest and growing need from school districts across the state,” said WSDA Farm to School Lead Annette Slonim.

Garfield, Palouse and Tekoa School Districts Superintendent Mike Jones said he didn’t have much to do with the Garfield program, but that Palouse has received the grant in the last couple of years.

Jones said that it was the first time Tekoa had received the grant. “We’re working on introducing the fresh foods and education into the overall curriculum in Tekoa,” Jones said, adding that they’re excited to have the opportunity.

The program in Palouse and Garfield has worked with local producers Geist Farms and Palouse Brands, Washington State University meats and several others in Garfield and Palouse.

“Lindsay Brown is the one who coordinates and has worked hard to establish connections with farmers around the state bringing in apples or berries. She brought turkeys from Walla Walla,” Jones said of the Palouse food program, adding that she has added an education element to it to teach kids about fresh foods.

Pullman School District Nutrition Services Supervisor Jessie Campbell said it is also not the first time that Pullman schools have received the grant. “We are really happy to have received one. It allows us to purchase foods that are Washington-grown,” she said, adding that they can make many direct purchases from farmers.

Campell said that the Pullman school food program has worked with the farm Courage to Grow and the Washington State Organic Farm. They’ve also purchased from WSU Creamery and WSU Meats.

The Pullman School District plans to work with Tonnamaker from Royal City to purchase apples and pears next year.

“I just feel fortunate that Washington has these types of opportunities for schools and makes these resources available, and ultimately, that money is going to local growers and producers,” Campbell said, adding that they are happy to have been selected again for a farm grant.

“One of our goals with this grant program is to strengthen Washington’s food systems at the regional level while helping to ensure that more locally-produced food is consumed by children in our schools,” said WSDA Director Derek Sandison.

The Washington state 2023-2025 biennium budget includes $5 million in ongoing funding for WSDA’s Farm to School program, including the Farm to School Purchasing Grant Program. A second round of Farm to School Purchasing Grant funds will be available in Spring 2024 for the summer months and the 2024-2025 school year.