Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo August 9, announced the funding for New York's Farm-to-School Program has been doubled, beginning with the current school year. The governor announced that $1.5 million is available for eligible school districts to support the growth of the program, which helps schools increase the volume and variety of locally grown and produced food offered on school menus. The program is also a boost to the agricultural economy, providing additional business to local farmers. Funding for the Farm-to-School Program is a key component of Cuomo's No Student Goes Hungry initiative. Eligible applicants are K-12 school food authorities, public schools, charter schools, not-for-profit schools, and other entities participating in the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, or the Summer Food Service Program. Projects are funded up to $100,000. Projects such as employing a farm-to-school coordinator; training programs for food service staff to increase knowledge of local procurement and preparation of food; and the purchase of equipment to increase a school kitchen's capacity, are all examples of eligible proposals. Applications must be received by October 1. Read the full press release at governor [dot] ny [dot] gov.