Whatcom Farm-to-School

The Sustainable Whatcom Fund of the Foundation has provided critical start-up support and ongoing guidance and funding for the local Whatcom Farm-to-School (F2S) initiative.  You can find more information at www.whatcomfarmtoschool.org.

Process for Applying for Farm-to-School Project Funding
November 2011

The Sustainable Whatcom Fund Advisory Committee of the Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF) is supporting Whatcom County school districts with grants and technical support to encourage farm-to-school development.  Funding proposals will be accepted and reviewed on a quarterly basis from January 2012 through January 2013.  Support is available for three types of projects:

1. The establishment of a district level Farm-to-School Task Force, Wellness Committee, or other body that can offer Food Service Directors the support they need to incorporate local healthy food into school meals.  Funding is available to help facilitate the formation of a district farm-to-school group, and/or to support the projects of a coordinating body.  Use Request for New Funding form.

2. Facilities improvements, staff training, or technical support that will result in:

• Development of relationships with one or more local food producers

• Increased capacity for processing and using locally grown products

• Increased quantity of local healthy food purchases

• Increased education of staff, students, and parents about the benefits of eating locally produced healthy foods

• Increased sales of school lunches that include local products, thus increasing the economic viability of school meal program.

• Establishment of policies that support farm-to-school activities

Use Request for New Funding form.

3.  Continued support for previously funded projects to build upon their lessons and successes, and ensure sustainability in the years ahead.  To receive continued support, applicants will need to demonstrate successful implementation of their pilot project, or explain how the project was modified to meet intended objectives; and show that the pilot project has begun to have an impact on one or more of the outcomes listed above.  Use Request for Continued Funding form.

The Proposal Process

Step 1:   Call or email Mardi Solomon or Holly O’Neil of the Whatcom Farm-to-School Support Team to indicate your intention to apply for funding.
Tel:      (360) 325-6002
Email:  info@whatcomfarmtoschool.org

Step 2:  Draft proposal using the Request for Proposals form for new projects or the form for continued funding, and email to: info@whatcomfarmtoschool.org by the 25th day of the month before final proposals are due (i.e., Jan. 25, April 25, July 25, Oct. 25). 
The Farm-to-School Support Team will provide feedback on your proposal.

Step 3:  Submit a final copy of your proposal by email, along with a signed hard copy to the Whatcom Community Foundation by the 7th day of the month proposals will be reviewed (i.e., Feb. 7, May 7, Aug. 7, Nov. 7).
Address:  119 Grand. Ave.; Suite A; Bellingham, WA  98225

Step 4:  The Sustainable Whatcom Fund Committee will review proposals quarterly.  Funding for approved projects can begin immediately upon notification of grant award.