Broome-Tioga BOCES says it has secured more than $533,000 in federal and state funding to expand Farm to School programs across 15 school districts in Broome and Tioga counties.
The total includes a $383,464 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and $150,000 from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. BOCES says the combined awards will support Farm to School work serving approximately 30,567 students in the two counties.
According to BOCES, the expanded program will help participating schools purchase more food from local producers. The funding will also support culinary training and student education connected to local food and agriculture. Those three areas — purchasing, training and education — are the main uses identified in the agency’s announcement.
BOCES says the grants will allow the regional effort to reach school communities across both counties. The 15-district scope gives the program a broad local footprint, while the two awards provide separate federal and state support for the work. The agency’s announcement describes the project as an expansion of Farm to School activity rather than a one-time food purchase.
BOCES plans to provide more information during a press conference at Binghamton High School at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5. The agency says the event will outline the new funding and the Farm to School expansion. Until then, the confirmed program details are the two grant awards, the 15 participating districts, the approximately 30,567 students served and the focus on local purchasing, culinary training and education.
