ActiveAtlas Opportunity Score 60/100
Minnesota AGRI Farm to Kids Local Tots Cost-Share — FY 2027
Minnesota Department of Agriculture reimbursement funding for licensed family child care providers participating in CACFP to purchase and serve Minnesota-grown or raised foods.
FundingApproximately $250,000 total; anticipated awards approximately $1,000 per eligible family child care provider
DeadlineOctober 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM Central Time
Last verifiedSeptember 18, 2026
Required next actionEligible licensed Minnesota family child care providers should confirm active CACFP participation, register or verify their Minnesota SWIFT vendor record, gather CACFP site and sponsor information and SWIFT identifiers, determine whether the new-participant no-match rule or prior-participant 1:1 cash-match rule applies, and submit the online FY 2027 Local Tots Letter of Intent by October 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM Central Time.
Broad Eligibility
Eligible participants are licensed family child care providers in Minnesota that participate in CACFP and remain active throughout the cost-share period. ECE centers are not eligible for Local Tots. The program reimburses eligible Minnesota-grown or raised food purchases used in CACFP meals and snacks during calendar year 2027.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score 60/100. N9+ Fit Score 0/100. This is a legitimate early-childhood nutrition funding opportunity, but it is a small food-purchase reimbursement program and specifically excludes food-preparation equipment and supplies. New participants have no cash match requirement; prior Local Tots participants require a 1:1 cash match. Dr. Miltie, LLC is not an eligible direct participant because eligibility is limited to qualifying licensed Minnesota family child care providers participating in CACFP. The current MDA webpage contains some legacy prior-cycle Q&A language, so FY 2027 deadline, match, eligibility, and spending-period facts are controlled by the current FY 2027 Cost-Share Summary.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is accepting FY 2027 AGRI Farm to Kids Local Tots Cost-Share Letters of Intent from eligible Minnesota family child care providers that actively participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The program reimburses eligible purchases of foods grown or raised in Minnesota that are used for CACFP meals or snacks. Early childhood education centers are not eligible for Local Tots and should use the First Bite or Full Tray programs instead.
MDA expects to allocate approximately $250,000, with awards anticipated at approximately $1,000 per provider depending on the number of eligible Letters of Intent. New Local Tots participants have no match requirement and may receive reimbursement for 100% of eligible purchases. Prior Local Tots participants must provide a 1:1 cash match and may receive reimbursement for up to 50% of eligible purchases. Letters of Intent are due October 15, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Central Time through MDA’s online system.
Applicants must be licensed Minnesota family child care providers, be active CACFP operators, register or verify their vendor record in Minnesota SWIFT, and provide CACFP and SWIFT identifiers in the online Letter of Intent. Eligible purchases may be incurred from January 1 through December 31, 2027. Food preparation equipment, supplies, staff time, fluid milk, non-Minnesota foods, and foods used outside CACFP are not eligible.
Source verificationReferenced source · www.mda.state.mn.usAtlas last verified this record September 18, 2026. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗
