A Great Path to Nourishing Minds: Connecting the Farm, the Classroom Kitchen, GPA Community.
Great Path Academy is proud to announce we are the recipient of the CT Grown for Kids Grant program from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DoAg) for $35,495 to focus on “Using Experiential Learning, On-Campus Production, and Local Procurement, the program connects students to local farms to teach the food system from cultivation to consumption.” We are deeply appreciative to Ms. Hood for directing and leading work to expand our culinary and bake shop curriculum.
At Great Path Academy, we are developing a comprehensive Farm to School program to transform our Culinary and Bake Shop curriculum. Our vision is to provide students with a deep understanding of our food system, from cultivation to consumption, by connecting our classroom with local farms and innovative agricultural practices. This project, which aligns with the Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Grant's goals, is built on three core pillars: Experiential Learning, On-Campus Production, and Local Procurement.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DoAg) is proud to announce an $837,900 investment through the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant program, which will support 21 innovative projects across the state. These initiatives are expected to positively impact more than 58,500 children by increasing access to fresh, locally grown foods and enhancing farm-to-school connections.
Through this latest round of funding, the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant program continues to strengthen Connecticut’s local food system by fostering partnerships between schools, early childhood education centers, farmers, and community organizations. The 21 selected projects span urban, suburban, and rural communities, and include efforts such as school gardens, nutrition education, farm field trips, and procurement of CT Grown farm products for school meals.
“This investment reflects our commitment to nourishing both the minds and bodies of Connecticut’s youth,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “By connecting children with fresh, local food and agricultural education, we’re cultivating healthier communities and a stronger local economy.”
This highly competitive grant program received 41 applications for the full grant awards with funding requesting exceeding $1.6 million. Projects were reviewed by committee and those moving forward have individual award amounts ranging from $12,323 up to $50,000.