Connecticut

Efforts by FoodCorps and our coalition partners during the 2024 legislative session resulted in the state covering the reduced price co-pay category for breakfast and lunch. This means students whose families earn $55,500 or less each year are eligible for free school meals, including breakfast. In the 2025 legislative session we are working to expand access to school meals through the School Meals for All CT Coalition and maintain funding for farm to school programming in continuing the successful CT Grown for CT Kids Grant and the CT Local Food for Schools Incentive Program.

The CT Grown for CT Kids Grant Program supports farm to school programming for school, districts, early childhood centers, farms, and nonprofits. The funding supports experiential learning, training, programming, and infrastructure to grow the connection kids have with food. Since its inception in 2022, the grant program has impacted over 50,000 CT youth. The CT Local Food for Schools Incentive Program provides every public school district in Connecticut with greater purchasing power for state-produced food ($1 for every $2 spent) and regional local food ($1 for every $3 spent).

Earlier this school year, FoodCorps celebrated a special kick off to “CT Grown for CT Kids Week” hosted by our partners at Middletown Public Schools. Joined by over a thousand students, local and state leaders, farmers, and FoodCorps alumni, the event featured a student-staffed tasting market and a lunch comprising all locally sourced ingredients.

Notably, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and state agency partners at the CT Department of Agriculture and CT Department of Education expressed their appreciation while attending the event. Dawn Crayco, Northeast Policy Director of FoodCorps and Co-Chair of the CT Farm to School Collaborative, shared: “When schools and farms partner, the impact is palpable. Students have opportunities to learn where their food comes from, enjoy local food in their cafeteria.