Introduction
The New England Food Vision Prize will award up to $1.5 million to projects that build resilience, relationships, and capacity within New England’s educational institution food supply chain.
In response to the recent federal funding cuts and the related impacts to our regional food system, we have modified the structure and focus of this year’s Prize program.
The Prize will support new ideas and collaborations, while also safeguarding and supporting existing efforts. This year’s Prize aims to fortify recent progress and ensure that the region’s students, farmers, fishermen, and producers continue to benefit from farm to school and campus programs.
Modifications include:
- Three application periods with a four week turnaround from submission deadline to decision
- Simplified application process
- Streamlined criteria used to review and recommend applications
- Existing projects and programs encouraged to apply
- Award requests can range from $25,000 – $100,000
- Up to $1.5 million available for 2025 Prizes
Competitive applications will clearly demonstrate how the project or program will maintain or increase the amount of regionally produced food served to K-12 and college and university students. Specific and near-term benefits to farmers, fishermen, and/or producers should be detailed in the application.
The 2025 Prize is more accessible, featuring a streamlined application process and faster award notifications.
Prize awards will range from $25,000-$100,000.
Join us for the Prize informational webinar on April 17th, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Eligibility
A primary objective of this program is to build the capacity, infrastructure, and relationships that result in local and regional food on the dining trays of students throughout the region’s K12 schools, campuses, and universities.
Applicants can be schools, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, or government agencies. At least one educational institution (K-12 or higher education) must be identified as a direct beneficiary and partner of the project. A letter of support will be required from this institution.
Applicant teams might include:
- Higher education institutions
- K-12 schools or school districts
- Farms / food harvesters / producers
- Food hubs
- Processors
- Network organizations
- Community-based organizations
- Municipal departments/initiatives
- Additional institutions (ex: healthcare)
Previous Prize winners are eligible to apply and all applicants and all partners must be based in New England.
Food associated with the project must be grown and/or sourced in New England.
Review Criteria
- Impact: It is clear how this project or program will support local and regional food purchasing by one or more school nutrition or campus dining programs. Winning proposals demonstrate how they result in immediate or near-term impacts for the region’s farmers, fishermen, and producers.
- Equity: The foundation prioritizes students and communities with limited access to fresh, regionally produced food.
- Sustainability: The use of Prize funds is likely to support ongoing local and regional purchasing by the school(s) beyond the term of the grant.
- Readiness: Project partners demonstrate the necessary skills, experience, and relationships to execute the project.
Past Prize projects that meet new criteria
Springfield Public Schools Partnership: Strengthening Food Bank Farm – Local Farmers
Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Inc. (MA) was awarded a 2024 prize to support their partnership with Lakeside Organics of Hadley, Atlas Farm, and Springfield Public Schools. Prize funds will support equipment purchases that will allow farmers to grow, harvest, and process more organic vegetables on the Food Bank Farm in Hadley to sell to Springfield Public Schools. Springfield Public Schools will promote the local and organic food in the cafeteria.
Why this project is a good example: Farmers benefit from equipment upgrades and a purchasing commitment by the school district. Students benefit from healthy, local, and organic food in their school meals.
Green Mountain Farm Direct: Seasonal Solutions: Advancing Local Procurement in Vermont’s School Cafeterias With Harvest of the Month
This program includes targeted and sustainable customer outreach strategies that engage K-12 schools in northern and central Vermont in monthly, seasonal, locally-sourced bulk purchasing. Partnering with the North Country Supervisory Union, Harwood Unified School District, Milton Town School District, and Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Network, this project will grow the program’s local food distribution by 25% within the next two school years.
Why this project is a good example: This project invests in the food hub’s capacity to match farmers and school buyers with customized support and achieve a measurable goal for increasing school sales. In 2025, a similar project might aim to maintain, rather than grow local food distribution.
Meat in the Middle: Building Access Into Farm-to-School Supply Chains
Red Tomato (RI) was awarded a 2024 Prize to support a supply chain development project that enhances local food access in schools and provides local producers with reliable market access and fair pricing. Working with Brookford Farm and more than ten other small producers in the region, Red Tomato will facilitate expanding the regional sourcing partnerships with Easton and Attleboro Public Schools and food service partner Whitson’s. Through optimized logistics, streamlined ordering, and strengthened community connections, Red Tomato will expand market access for small and mid-sized farms across New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Why this project is a good example: Infrastructure investments and capacity for relationship building between the food hub and school will clearly result in expanded sales for local producers.
Local Food Works for Educational Institutions
Growing Places Garden Project, Inc. (MA) was awarded a 2024 Prize to partner with Gardner, Fitchburg, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, and Mount Wachusett Community College in their shared effort to process, source, and serve more locally grown products. The project will create locally produced products through the region’s new food processing center, provide resources and training to school staff, and actively engage farmers, producers, and students in the process to expand and sustain local purchasing.
Why this project is a good example: A pre-existing initiative is supported with funding to implement and accelerate their shared commitments to local sourcing by local schools.
Projects that do not meet the new criteria
- Investments to raise food on campus
- School garden investments
- Hydroponic or tower garden units for indoor growing
- Product development with timelines over 1 year
- Research and planning efforts
Prizes must demonstrate potential for near-term impact for students and for the regional food economy. On school/campus production does not generate revenue for local producers currently facing significantly reduced market opportunities.
Use of Funding
Examples of possible uses of funding include, but are not limited to the following:
- Infrastructure investment
- Equipment purchase
- Capacity and staffing
- Revolving Fund
- Training and certification
Funding may not be used for:
- The recurring purchase of food
- Endowment
- Research or extensive planning efforts
Application & Selection Process
There will be up to three rounds of Prize awards in June, October, and December 2025.
JUNE AWARDS
April 7 : Application open
May 16 : Submission deadline
June 18 : Awards announced
OCTOBER AWARDS
August 11 : Application open
September 12 : Submission deadline
October 17 : Awards announced
DECEMBER AWARDS
October 6 : Application open
November 7 : Submission deadline
December 10 : Awards announced
Prize winners will be expected to update the Foundation on their progress periodically and will be invited to connect with other Prize winners to share progress, knowledge, and experiences related to their work.
Resources
Do you have a seed of an idea but need to talk it out?
Are you looking for partners? Are you wondering whether your organization or idea fits this program? The team at Farm to Institution New England is available to support you with your questions.
Questions about process and eligibility?
Send the Kendall team an email!