Thirty Minnesota Schools and Early Education Programs Receive Grants to Serve More Dairy Products

St. Paul, Minn —The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded more than $50,000 in grant funding to thirty Minnesota schools and early education programs to boost the amount of dairy offered to students. The organizations will be using the grants to add milk coolers to their nutrition programs.

The grant recipients are part of the first round of Milk Cooler Grants to be awarded under the Agricultural Growth Research and Innovation Program (AGRI). A second round of funding totaling $50,000 is available now and organizations that are interested in the grant program can apply through April 4, 2019.

“The Milk Cooler Grant Program benefits not only the children who are getting a good source of protein and vitamins, but the increased consumption of milk benefits Minnesota’s dairy farmers,” said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. ”Investing in schools and early childhood programs enables them to buy and serve more dairy which in turn supports Minnesota’s dairy industry.”

A complete list of current grantees and information about applying for the grants is on the MDA Milk Cooler Grant webpage: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/business-dev-loans-grants/agri-milk-cooler-past-projects