Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the availability of $10 million through the third round of New York’s Regional School Food Infrastructure (RSFI) Grant Program. The initiative, launched as part of the Governor’s 2023 State of the State, is designed to help schools across the state improve meal preparation and distribution for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. Over five years, the RSFI program will distribute $50 million to eligible organizations, with the goal of increasing the use of fresh, local New York food products in school meals and supporting the state’s farmers.
Governor Hochul made the announcement during Farm-to-School Month, highlighting the state’s commitment to reducing food insecurity and supporting local agriculture. “As this irresponsible federal government shutdown continues following the Trump administration’s dangerous cuts to food programs, I’m proud to say that here in New York State, we’re continuing to advance our goals of reducing food insecurity while increasing market opportunities for farmers,” Governor Hochul said. “Our Regional School Food Infrastructure program brings our farmers and our schools together, supporting our agricultural industry while ensuring that our children have enough local, fresh meals they need to learn and thrive. The funding for these projects will provide the much-needed support to help schools prepare delicious, fresh foods from scratch for our students in their own facilities, further strengthening the resiliency of our food system.”
The RSFI program, managed by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, provides resources for schools to develop facilities that can aggregate, store, process, and prepare farm products on-site. It also supports workforce development through training in culinary arts, food processing, and related fields.
The funding announcement took place at an event on Long Island, where State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball visited the East End Food Institute. The organization is using $5 million from the previous round of RSFI funding to build a Food Hub aimed at improving food aggregation, processing, and distribution for the Long Island region. The project addresses logistical barriers faced by schools and institutions in sourcing local food and will include workforce development components for staff training. Several school districts are set to benefit from the project, including Southampton Union Free School District and Riverhead Central School District.
Commissioner Ball stated, “One of our priorities at the Department is ensuring that New York farmers can get their fresh, local food items directly into our communities, and ensuring our schools have the equipment they need to cook from scratch and use ingredients made by our farmers and producers is a crucial part of that effort. Through the first two rounds of the program, we are already seeing some exciting progress on projects like a new Food Hub spearheaded by the East End Food Institute that will benefit farmers and students alike. I thank Governor Hochul for her continued support of this critical program and encourage all eligible applicants to consider applying for Round 3, which provides an opportunity to strengthen our food system and provide delicious, healthy and locally sourced meals to our students while supporting our farmers.”
East End Food Institute Executive Director Marci Moreau said, “The ongoing support from Governor Hochul and Commissioner Ball through the Regional School Food Infrastructure program is transforming food systems in New York and helping to build more resilient local food networks. All of us at East End Food are deeply grateful for this partnership, which brings our farmers and schools together, supporting local agriculture while ensuring that every child has access to fresh, nourishing meals. At East End Food Institute, we believe that when we bring farmers and schools together, the process of education itself is enhanced and students gain not only healthier meals, but also a deeper understanding of where their food comes from and the people who grow it. These funds are pivotal in helping us build a stronger, more connected food system, one that feeds body, mind, and community. We are grateful for this opportunity and remain committed to honoring it through our work every day.”
Regan Kiembock, Director of Food Services at Southampton Schools, added, “As a school food service director for over 25 years with a strong passion for farm-to-school, I am thrilled about the investment that New York State and our Governor have made to increase access of local foods to our students in our schools here on Long Island. The East End Food Institute will be a valuable resource for all who are committed to providing our students with fresh, local, and healthy food in our schools’ cafeterias by not only making it easier for us to connect and purchase from our farmers and local producers, but also allowing us to have a workforce development program to train staff on more scratch food preparation. This is a true win-win for all.”
State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “The result of federal cuts to food security programs is that children and families across New York will not have access to the meals they need. Everywhere the state can make a difference to protect people and expand food access, we are taking action. That includes supporting the Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program, which gives schools the capital funding to store, cook, and serve fresh, healthy food—while also helping New York farmers get their high-quality products onto students’ plates. I thank Governor Hochul and Commissioner Ball for prioritizing this critical program, and encourage all eligible applicants to apply.”
Assemblymember Donna Lupardo stated, “The Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program has helped schools and other institutions incorporate fresh, local produce into the meals they serve. The program supports NY’s hardworking farmers, encourages the consumption of healthy and nutritious foods, all while strengthening local food systems. I encourage school districts to apply for this third round of funding; these critical infrastructure investments will pay dividends for years to come.”
Assemblymember Jodi Giglio said, “The Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program will help to ensure our students here in the North Fork have the nutritious, locally sourced foods they need to help them learn. In addition to that, the program supports our local farmers, so it is a true win-win for all. I congratulate East End Food Institute on this award and look forward to seeing the project come to fruition.”
Kayla Barthelme, Program Director at East End Food Institute and owner of Soul Creations Apothecary and Herb Farm, remarked, “It’s an honor to welcome Commissioner Ball and our community to the East End Food Hub. As a small farmer and herbalist on the East End, I grow medicinal herbs and work alongside other local growers, producers, and educators who share one mission: to keep our community healthy, connected, and nourished from the ground up. For those of us who farm out here, this project represents so much more than a building — its hope for the future of local agriculture. The East End Food Hub will give growers the infrastructure we’ve long needed to process, store, and distribute our products efficiently and affordably. It will help keep food grown on Long Island on Long Island — feeding our schools, hospitals, and families, while giving farmers the stability to keep doing what they love. We often talk about ‘growing community,’ and that’s exactly what this project does. It strengthens the roots between farmers and neighbors, and reminds us that when we invest in local food, we’re really investing in people — in resilience, sustainability, and the shared story of this land.”
The RSFI grant program requires funded facilities to serve multiple school districts and provide workforce development opportunities. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, municipalities, school districts, and Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES). Each year $5 million is awarded to two regions; so far, projects have been funded in Western New York, North Country, Long Island, and Central New York. Applications for Round 3 are due by January 20, 2026. Additional details about eligibility and how to apply can be found at agriculture.ny.gov/Funding-Opportunities.
Beyond the RSFI program, Governor Hochul’s administration supports several initiatives aimed at strengthening New York’s food system. These include Nourish New York and the 30 Percent NYS Initiative for school meals. The state has set a goal for agencies to source 30 percent of their food purchases from New York farmers within five years. Governor Hochul has also allocated $25 million for a grant program to help bring innovative NYS Grown & Certified products to market. In June, she announced $13.7 million in grants for 19 projects statewide to improve coordination within the food system and help farmers access new markets.
