Mansfield and Ashford Secure Farm-to-School Program Funding for Local Agriculture

Connecticut Invests in Local Farm-to-School Initiatives

MANSFIELD — The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has allocated $837,900 through its CT Grown for CT Kids Grants program. This state initiative supports the connection between local farms, schools, and communities, encouraging the use of Connecticut-grown foods in school cafeterias and nutrition programs.

Support for Mansfield and Ashford

Mansfield and Ashford were among the towns chosen to receive funding in this round of grants. The investment aims to strengthen agricultural education, improve student access to fresh local produce, and enhance farm-to-school partnerships that benefit both local economies and student well-being.

“These grants represent an important step in making local, healthy food more accessible to students statewide,” said a spokesperson from the Department of Agriculture.

Purpose of the CT Grown for CT Kids Program

The CT Grown for CT Kids program emphasizes education about local food systems and agriculture. Schools can use grant resources for projects that connect classrooms with farms, such as garden-based learning, farm visits, or partnerships with local growers to incorporate regional ingredients into menus.

The Department of Agriculture expects the initiative to bolster community collaboration, sustain small farms, and inspire students to appreciate the value of locally sourced food.

Author’s summary: Connecticut awarded $837,900 in Farm-to-School grants to towns like Mansfield and Ashford to promote local food, educational gardening, and stronger farm-community ties.

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thechronicle.com thechronicle.com — 2025-11-28

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