Farm to School

The Virginia Farm to School Program is transforming school cafeterias by connecting students, schools, and local farmers. This initiative provides fresh, locally grown food to students across all educational levels while supporting local agriculture.

The 9th Annual Crunch Heard 'Round the Commonwealth Celebration will take place during Virginia Farm to School week on Thursday, October 9th, 2025. All Virginians are encouraged to participate in 2025 and "Crunch" a Virginia-grown apple. To register for the event and download the free digital 2025 Crunch Toolkit and marketing materials, complete the Crunch Heard 'Round the Commonwealth Registration Form.

Visit the Farm to School webpage to learn more.

Virginia Produce Incentive Program Grant - Status | Closed

The Virginia Produce Incentive Program will enhance the buying power of participants using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds for the purchase of fruits and vegetables. The applicant will need to devise a plan to make fresh fruits and vegetables available at food stores, farmers markets, and other locations for people with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/EBT) benefits. The plan must work in partnership with store outlets that will provide double the purchase of produce when purchasing with SNAP/EBT. The applicant will be required to connect with local farmers to increase sales and strengthen local food systems.

• Read the Incentive Program Guidelines and Instructions

Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program Plus Grant - Status | Closed

VDACS is seeking proposals from agencies that have the capacity to procure local foods from farmers and growers to be distributed to persons in need or be provided to charitable food assistance organizations that can distribute to persons in need across the state. View the guidelines for more information.

• Local Food Purchase Assistance Program Plus (pdf)

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Cooperative Agreement - Status | Closed

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, is entering into a cooperative agreement with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for a Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Cooperative Agreement. VDACS will develop and administer coordinated initiatives to build resilience across the middle-of-the-food-supply-chain. Funds will support expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry. VDACS will work in partnership with USDA to make competitive subawards to support infrastructure in the middle-of-the-supply-chain for domestic food and farm businesses and other eligible entities. Application period March 15th thru April 15th 2024.

• Evidence of Critical Resources and Infrastructure Letter (pdf)
• Environmental Pre-Screening Worksheet (pdf)
• Grant Checklist
• Match Verification Letter (pdf)
• USDA Equipment-Only Grant Proposal Application (download the pdf)
• USDA Infrastructure Grant Proposal Application (download the pdf)

• Obtain a Unique Entity ID
• Small Business Administration
• USDA Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
• USDA Program Scope and Requirements
• USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program
• USDA Specific Terms and Conditions
• Webinar - Recording
• Webinar - Slides (pdf)
• VDACS Office Hours - Slides (pdf)
• VDACS FAQ (pdf)

Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program Grant - Status | Closed

VDACS is seeking proposals from charitable food assistance organizations with a plan to engage local farmers and growers to purchase agricultural products that will be distributed to persons in need.

• Guidelines and Instructions (pdf)

Virginia Farm to Virginia Families Food Box Program

VDACS is seeking proposals from charitable food assistance organizations with a plan to engage local farmers and growers to purchase agricultural products that will be distributed to persons in need.

USDA Foods Ordered

Inbound USDA food shipments for Virginia schools are available via Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM).

• Commodity Offering for 2025/2026 School Year (pdf)

USDA Commodity Processing

Virginia's Food Distribution program offers further processing for many USDA commodities such as cheese, fruits, meats and poultry. The option is offered to public schools as an alternative to receiving the products directly from USDA.

• USDA National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Processing Catalog – 2025 – 2026 (pdf)

Information & Resources

• Agency Agreement (pdf)
• Distributor Contract (pdf)
• Distributor Map (pdf)
• Federation of Virginia Food Banks - Find a food bank near you.
• NSLP USDA Foods Product Information Sheets
• Over, Short or Damaged Form (pdf)
• State Plan of Operation: Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) (pdf)
• State Plan of Operation: The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) (pdf)
• USDA Food Distribution Programs
• USDA Nondiscrimination Statement (pdf)
• Web Based Supply Chain Management