Kitchen Garden Kickstart Grants - 2026

Applications are now open for our 2026 Kitchen Garden Kickstart Grants, supporting schools that want to bring food education to life but lack the resources to get started. 

In 2026, 12 schools will receive a $5000 infrastructure grant and a two‑year Kitchen Garden Program start-up membership, providing the practical tools, guidance and expertise needed to establish a thriving, sustainable kitchen garden from scratch. 

Over the years, Kickstart Grants, generously funded by General Mills, have supported 60 schools nationwide, helping them establish kitchen and garden spaces, build staff capacity, and create opportunities for shared meals and learning. In the past year alone, students and school communities enjoyed 65,520 fresh and delicious meals thanks to these grants! 

These grants are designed for schools where limited resources may stand in the way of joining the Kitchen Garden Program. 

Schools with an ICSEA value of 1000 or under are eligible to apply.

Please note that current members of the Kitchen Garden Program are not eligible for these grants.