The Kindred Fellowship is a cohort-based program that equips 30 school food leaders with the skills and knowledge to initiate tangible improvement in school food systems. Through a curriculum rooted in the School Food Leadership (SFL) Framework, fellows will engage in hands-on projects, policy advocacy, and community partnerships to create nourishing, student-driven, and sustainable school meal programs.

Program Highlights:

• Curriculum Structure: The fellowship meets from October to June 2026 with 9 interactive sessions , with each month focusing on a specific theme, such as "Leading Through Change," "The Power of Storytelling," and "Policy and Advocacy."
  
  

• Learning Pods: Fellows will be placed in small, self-led groups to foster peer support and collaboration. These pods will meet regularly to discuss the curriculum, share experiences, and work on projects together.
  
  

• Mentorship: The program includes a flexible, on-demand mentorship model, allowing fellows to connect with experienced professionals for targeted guidance and support.
  
  

• Culminating Project: At the end of the fellowship, fellows will present a comprehensive change effort, integrating their learning and experiences into a strategic plan for their school food initiative.

• In-person convenings at the beginning and conclusion of the program, free to all participants. 

Who Should Apply?

We are seeking individuals who are passionate about improving school food systems and have a vision for creating lasting change. Ideal candidates are:

• FoodCorps Alumni, Past or Current Sites

• Current school food leaders

• Educators or administrators with a focus on school food systems

Let’s stay in touch! 

• Application Link: Learn more and start your applications here! Applications close August 31. 

• Eager to learn more about the fellowship? Sign up for our webinar on August 6th to learn more about the fellowship and other FoodCorps leadership programs. 

• Hear from Fellows- Read more about the first cohort’s experience here. 

• Want to share ? Here is a handy toolkit. 

If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out, and visit our website here. Together, we can support the next generation of school food leaders to connect, cultivate, and nourish their communities.

The details:

2026 New England Food Vision Prize

Are you working to increase access to regionally produced food in school kitchens and campus dining halls across New England? The 2026 New England Food Vision Prize will award up to $1.5 million, with grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. Check out the details, read about past winners, and start gathering your partners!

Letters of Interest are due June 5.

Learn more: https://www.kendall.org/2026-NEFVP

SNACT Members Action Alert!

An important hearing scheduled for February 17

H.B. No. 5032 (COMM) AN ACT ADJUSTING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2027.

SNACT note: This is the governor's budget. It would fund universal free breakfast and fund meals at no cost for reduced price eligible students.

Gov press release

The Appropriations Committee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, the 17th,  at 3:00 P.M. in Room 2C of the LOB and via Zoom. 

What you can do: Sign up to testify or submit written testimony urging legislators to support this budget. A template that you can use is here.

How to Submit Testimony and / or  Register to Speak
Individuals who wish to testify must register using the On-line Testimony Registration Form . 

You can submit written testimony using the On-line Testimony Submission Form .

The public hearing can be viewed via YouTube Live. In addition, the public hearing may be recorded and broadcast live on CT-N.com.

SNA has released its 2026 Position Paper outlining the Association’s advocacy priorities for the new year.

The Paper urges Congress to:

• Increase investments in school meal programs to cover rising costs, expand scratch cooking, and provide students more fresh, local produce

• Protect and expand access to healthy school meals for all students

• Ensure updates to federal school nutrition standards are feasible for schools

SNA members are encouraged to review the Paper and click on the “Learn more” links for detailed fact sheets on each ask. Talking points and other advocacy resources will be posted here.

USDA introduced several provisions to the farm to school program, some of which include:

What’s next: The deadline to submit applications is THIS FRIDAY, December 5! For more information, visit the USDA’s resources page dedicated to Farm to School grant applicants.

The details: USDA has confirmed that funding is in place to reimburse all school meals served through October, and states report receiving funds for reimbursements for meals served in November.

What’s next: According to an October 24 memo, $23 billion of Section 32 tariff funds was transferred to USDA’s Child Nutrition Program accounts to carry out NSLP, SBP and CACFP during the shutdown. SNA has contacted USDA to confirm that November meals will also be covered should the shutdown extend into December.

For more: SNA’s FAQs provides further details, and this document will continue to be updated as more information becomes available. We encourage you to follow our social media channels and watch your email for updates on the latest information.

According to USDA’s Lapse of Funding Plan, there should be no immediate impact on school meal funding or operations.

You can find more information on SNA's website here

SNA has created an easy-to-use template that highlights how school meals are the healthiest meals Americans eat while advocating for a science-based definition that considers nutrient density alongside processing methods. The template takes just minutes to customize with your  specific experience. The public comment period closes September 23rd.

SNA has created an easy-to-use template that highlights how school meals are the healthiest meals Americans eat while advocating for a science-based definition that considers nutrient density alongside processing methods. The template takes just minutes to customize with your  specific experience. The public comment period closes September 23rd.

SNA has created an easy-to-use template that highlights how school meals are the healthiest meals Americans eat while advocating for a science-based definition that considers nutrient density alongside processing methods. The template takes just minutes to customize with your  specific experience. The public comment period closes September 23rd.

• Apply here: bit.ly/CTG4CTK

All SFAs participating in the NSLP are eligible to apply. Priority is given to schools that did not receive previous equipment grant funding under earlier USDA NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants.

The RFP document is attached to this email and is also available on the CSDE 2025 Request for Proposals webpage.

Proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Jul 25, 2025. Extensions will not be given. Submit the application by e-mail to Sean Fogarty at Sean.Fogarty@ct.gov.  

For questions about the USDA NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants, please contact Sean Fogarty at 860-807-2055 or Sean.Fogarty@ct.gov.  

What’s Next:

The bill will now move to the Senate and is ready for action on the Senate Calendar. Its calendar number is 557. Timing is key here: the session wraps up Wed June 4th so we need the Senate to move on this bill, or it will die and not move forward at all. 

Action:

1. Thank your House member for passing HB 7013! (find your rep's contact info here)

 Use this simple email script:

Dear Representative ____, 

Thank you for your support of HB 7013 (the farm to school bill) which passed the House this week. Your support will make it possible for more students across the state to experience local, fresh foods in their school meals and have meaningful experiences learning about food in schools and early childcare settings. It will also support our incredible farmers who work tirelessly to keep our communities healthy and thriving. I am hopeful for passage in the Senate and support in the budget so we can continue this impactful initiative.  

With appreciation,

(Name)

2. Email your Senator and ask them to take action on Substitute for HB 7013 (calendar number 577) (Find the contact info for our senators here)

 Use this simple email script:

Dear Senator _____,

I am writing to ask for your support and leadership on an important bill that supports the growth of farm to school in the state. HB 7013 passed the House this week and awaits action in the Senate. 

In short, the bill will:

• Continue existing efforts to support the purchasing of local foods in school meal programs

• Expand that support to our youngest eaters in early childhood settings

• Provide the CT State Dept of Education with the capacity and resources needed to connect farms and schools/early childcare providers creating sustainable purchasing arrangements, and fuel farm to school growing in cafeterias and classrooms throughout the state

Thank you for all you’ve done to speak up for kids and farms this session. Please support efforts to bring this bill to a vote and ensure funding for the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant and the CT Local Food for Schools Incentive so we can continue to grow and invest in the health of our students and communities through farm to school. 

With appreciation,

(Name)

Join us at the Capitol as a show of force in support of School Meals for All CT on Tuesday, May 20th!

Click here to register

Information and application here

SNACT Action Alert!

Three important hearings scheduled for Feb 26! 

SB 921: A sugary beverage tax with proceeds going to fund universal school meals (Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee)

HB 6864: The Governor's proposed budget ELIMINATES  the CT Grown for CT Kids Grants Program (Appropriations Committee) 

HB 7013: An act concerning enhancements to the local food for schools incentive program and CTG4CTK grant program (Education Committee)

The Details:

SB 921 : The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday February 26 beginning at 11 am on:

SB 921 AA Imposing A Tax on Sugar Sweetened Beverages and Dedicating The Revenue Generated To Fund School Breakfast and Lunch Programs

This bill would create a dedicated, sustainable funding source for universal school meals for every student in CT. According to the UCONN Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, a two cent excise tax on sugary drinks would generate approximately $164M annually. Universal meals will support school nutrition programs by increasing meal participation and financial stability.

What you can do: Sign up to testify or submit written testimony urging legislators to support a dedicated, permanent funding source for universal school meals in CT.  Your voice as a school nutrition professional is essential! Sharing your firsthand experience about the importance of school meals can make a powerful impact.

Attached is a testimony template to help you get started.

How to Submit Testimony and / or  Register to Speak
Register to testify on SB921 here

Submit written testimony for SB921 here

HB 6864: The Governor's proposed budget ELIMINATES  the CT Grown for CT Kids Grants Program

What you can do: Ask that funds for the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant Program be restored to the budget.

Submit written testimony on HB 6864here

HB 7013:  An act concerning enhancements to the local food for schools incentive program and CTG4CTK grant program. To replace the Department of Agriculture with the Department of Education as the lead agency responsible for administering the local food for schools incentive program, to expand eligibility in such programs to include providers of child care services, and to provide support and funding for such programs and the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant Program.

What you can do:  Asking legislator to co-sponsor HB 7013 instead of HB 5852 

The Education Committee  will hold their hearing on Wednesday February 26-the SAME day of the Appropriations Hearing for the Dept of Agriculture. The Education Committee hearing begins at 10:00 - here is the agenda.

Register to testify on HB7013 here

Submit written testimony for HB7013 here

As school nutrition professionals, we see the impact of access to healthy meals every day. Your advocacy can help secure long-term funding for school meals and support the well-being of students across Connecticut. Let’s make our voices heard!

The application period for SNF ANC25 scholarships is now open!

This year, the School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) is awarding forty-five scholarships to SNA members to help them offset the costs of attending SNA’s 2025 Annual National Conference (ANC25) in San Antonio, TX.

Deadline for all applications is March 28. Information and applications here

SNA’s 2025 Position Paper urges Congress to:

Mistletoe Mingle is back!

Tuesday December 3

Kick off the holiday season  with SNACT!  Mistletoe Mingle at Gouveia Vineyards in Wallingford on Tuesday December 3. We will get there at 3:30.  Snacks will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Cash bar. NO OUTSIDE BEVERAGES ALLOWED.   You are welcome to bring guests  and if you bring a potential new SNACT member, you’ll be eligible for a  prize drawing. There'll also be prizes for ugly sweater and door prizes! 

The fiscal year (FY) 2025 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program requests for applications (RFAs) are now open. This year the RFA has been split into three separate solicitations:

• Implementation Grant
• State Agency Grant
• Turnkey Grant

To apply, visit Grants.gov and follow the instructions found in the RFA.

Applicants may decide which grant track best suits their project. The RFA Grant Track Decision document is a great resource to help make this decision and can be found in the “Related Documents” tab of the Grants.gov listing. Be sure to visit the applicant resources page for more helpful resources, including links to webinars that provide specific assistance on applying for a Farm to School Grant.