1. Minnesota Department of Agriculture
  2. Business Dev, Loans, Grants
  3. Grants
  4. Local Tots Cost-Share
  5. Farm to School and Early Care: Local Tots Cost-Share Q&A

Here are some common questions about the fiscal year (FY) 2025 AGRI Full Tray Farm to School and Early Care Local Tots Cost-Share program.

If you have questions that are not addressed here or in the summary of the program, email them to MDA.AGRIGrants@state.mn.us with "Local Tots Cost-Share" in the subject line. We will post all questions and answers on this page.

Note: Acronyms we use in this program include Early Care Education (ECE), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO), and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

Eligibility questions

  • I operate a Special Group Family licensed child care, but we are not eligible to participate in CACFP. Can our program be eligible for the cost-share, perhaps with some alternative qualification?
    • Our FY25 round of funding for the Local Tots Cost-Share is only available to licensed child care programs that participate in CACFP.
  • Can a family child care provider join CACFP (the food program) between now and October 24, 2024 (the deadline for Letters of Intent), and still be eligible?
    • Yes, they would be eligible so long as at the time of the award letter, they are enrolled and active in CACFP.

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Application questions

  • On the application form, it asks for our CACFP sponsor. What does that mean?
    • Your CACFP sponsor is the organization that oversees your food program. The Family Day Care Home Sponsors in Minnesota are:
      • Adults’ & Children’s Alliance, Inc. (ACA)
      • Child Care & Nutrition, Inc. (CCNI)
      • Milestones (formerly Child Care Choices)
      • Providers Choice, Inc. (PCI)
  • I submitted my Letter of Intent for the Local Tots Cost-Share program. When will I receive my award letter?
    • Letters of Intent are due by October 24, 2024, at 4 p.m. We will send out award letters before the end of the year. Your award letter will tell you how much you were awarded. You will then be able to make eligible purchases starting January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. 
  • How much will I receive if I submit a Letter of Intent?
    • Eligible participants can expect to receive up to $1,000, although the final amount will depend on the total number of Letters of Intent we receive by the deadline. Your award letter will tell you the amount you will receive.

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Program questions

  • Where can I buy eligible food items?
    • You can buy eligible food items from a variety of sellers including, but not limited to:
      • Directly from a Minnesota farm/farmer, including through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share
      • At a Minnesota farmers’ market
        • Note: Some farmers at Minnesota farmers’ markets may be growing or producing food in bordering states — note that foods grown or raised in another state are not eligible for the cost-share.
      • In a retail setting
        • Note: If buying eligible items from a retail setting, you will need to collect the farm name and location for the Minnesota-grown or -raised foods to include with your reimbursement requests.
  • Must eggs be pasteurized to qualify for reimbursement under this program, or can a family child care provider buy fresh-laid eggs?
    • Local eggs are an eligible item for the Local Tots Cost-Share program and there is no program requirement for the eggs to be pasteurized. However, family child care providers must still follow federal and state purchasing guidelines for CACFP.
    • When feeding preschool-aged children for CACFP, eggs must be pasteurized when used in items that are mixed and held before baking (like pancakes and mix for multiple servings of omelettes). Unpasteurized shell eggs are okay to use in bakery items that are mixed and immediately baked (like muffins).
  • I am planning to buy local honey. Does the honey need to be pasteurized?
    • For this program, there is no requirement for honey to be pasteurized or raw.
    • Be sure you are following both CACFP requirements and the Local Tots Cost-Share program guidelines for all purchases.
  • I am planning to buy processed food items. How do we submit proof that there is a Minnesota-grown item as the first ingredient listed?
    • You will need to provide a letter from the food company that attests that the primary ingredient in that product is from a Minnesota farm. You will also need to know the farm name and location of that farm. This often requires you to email the food company to get that information.
  • I would like to buy 50 pounds of hamburger from my local farmer. Is this an eligible expense?
    • If the cow is raised on a Minnesota farm and the final product will be used in a CACFP meal or snack, then this would be an eligible expense.
  • Is processing of a local pig or cow an eligible expense?
    • Processing of Minnesota-raised animals is an eligible expense for this program.
  • Can I buy a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share with these funds?
    • Yes, a CSA share is an eligible expense and a great way to enjoy a variety of fresh produce throughout the growing season.
  • Are delivery costs reimbursable with these funds?
    • Yes, delivery costs associated with the purchase of eligible food items are eligible expenses for this program.
  • Can we buy foods in season and freeze them to use later in the year? For example, I would like to buy raspberries from a local farm in July and freeze them to use with meals in the winter.
    • Yes, this is a great way to extend the season and make use of your eligible food items throughout the year!
  • Can I buy kitchen equipment to help prepare the local items that I am purchasing?
    • No. Kitchen equipment is not an eligible expense for the Local Tots Cost-Share. The AGRI Farm to School First Bite and Full Tray grants have an option to apply for additional grant funds to purchase equipment, but Local Tots participants are not eligible at this time.
  • What if I buy a whole pig and use half of it in my day care and half for my family. Can I get reimbursed for just half of the total cost?
    • Yes. When you submit your reimbursement request, you will indicate the total expense and the amount you are requesting for reimbursement on your reimbursement worksheet. You will also need to submit the invoice and the proof of payment showing the total cost.
  • I am planning to buy Minnesota-raised meat with these funds. Does the meat need to be processed at certain meat markets?
    • For this program, you only need to provide documentation that shows the farm name and location where the animal is from. This information can be included on the invoice/receipt from the meat market when you submit your reimbursement request. Note that you are still required to follow CACFP rules and guidelines relating to meat purchases.
  • What can I buy with these funds?
    • Eligible items must be used for CACFP meals or snacks. They must also meet one of the following:
      • They are a whole (unprocessed) or minimally processed food that is 80% grown or raised in Minnesota; or
      • They are a processed food with a primary ingredient (excluding water) that is at least 80% grown or raised in Minnesota.
  • Are items from Minnesota food companies eligible?
    • Minnesota-based companies, manufacturers, or makers do not necessarily sell foods that qualify as Minnesota-grown or -raised. A Minnesota-based company may be distributing foods grown or raised outside of Minnesota, or foods may be made with non-Minnesota ingredients. You are responsible for confirming that foods are grown or raised in Minnesota.
  • Do I submit a request for reimbursement every time I purchase an eligible item, or do I wait until the end of the cost-share period?
    • You can make your reimbursement requests as needed throughout the cost-share period. We ask that bundle your small purchases together. Most participants will submit 1-2 times throughout the year.
  • How do I get reimbursed for my expenses?
    • You will submit your reimbursement request to the MDA. We need the following documents before we can approve and issue payment:
      • Reimbursement worksheet with the farm name and location for each eligible item
      • Proof of purchase (receipt/invoice) for each eligible item
      • Proof of payment (canceled check, credit card statement, receipt) for each eligible item

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Food safety questions

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Farm to School technical assistance office hours

The Minnesota Farm to School and Early Care Leadership Team hosts technical assistance office hours on the second Wednesday of each month, 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Zoom. Join these virtual calls to discuss and find answers to your questions related to Farm to School and Early Care and local food purchasing.

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