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Understanding the School Food Workforce Subgrants

We’re seeking proposals for research projects that will increase understanding of the current state of the school food workforce in the United States and/or explore strategies to create a stable and respected workforce that can provide healthy meals to students while supporting resilient local and regional food systems. 

Apply now. Applications are due February 14, 2025. 

Understanding the School Food Workforce Subgrants

We’re seeking proposals for research projects that will increase understanding of the current state of the school food workforce in the United States and/or explore strategies to create a stable and respected workforce that can provide healthy meals to students while supporting resilient local and regional food systems. 

Apply now. Applications are due February 14, 2025. 

Overview

Vea una descripción general de esta oportunidad de subvención en español aquí.

We’re seeking research project proposals for Understanding the School Food Workforce subgrants. The goals of these subgrants are to (1) increase understanding of the current state of the school food workforce in the United States and/or (2) explore strategies to create a stable and respected workforce that can provide healthy meals to students while supporting resilient local and regional food systems. 

We anticipate awarding 5–7 subgrants with a project maximum of $250,000 (including indirect costs). The maximum grant period of performance is 18 months, beginning June 1, 2025 and ending November 30, 2026.

This subgrant research program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service and cooperatively administered by the University of Wisconsin-MadisonFood Insight Group, and Chef Ann Foundation

Overview

Vea una descripción general de esta oportunidad de subvención en español aquí.

We’re seeking research project proposals for Understanding the School Food Workforce subgrants. The goals of these subgrants are to (1) increase understanding of the current state of the school food workforce in the United States and/or (2) explore strategies to create a stable and respected workforce that can provide healthy meals to students while supporting resilient local and regional food systems. 

We anticipate awarding 5–7 subgrants with a project maximum of $250,000 (including indirect costs). The maximum grant period of performance is 18 months, beginning June 1, 2025 and ending November 30, 2026.

This subgrant research program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service and cooperatively administered by the University of Wisconsin-MadisonFood Insight Group, and Chef Ann Foundation


Details

Understanding the School Food Workforce subgrants will fund research projects related to the K-12 school foodservice workforce, including: workforce demographics and composition; school food finances, budget composition; privatization trends; training and skill development; recruitment and retention; job evaluation and market analysis; job satisfaction and career development; and strategies for shifting public perception, empowering workers, and improving both the financial well-being of school food workers and the fiscal solvency of school food programs.

The results of this research may lead not only to improved job quality and higher compensation for school food workers, but also to healthier, fresher, and more sustainably sourced food for K-12 students.

At the end of the cooperative agreement, the Understanding the School Food Workforce project team will develop and release a summary report that synthesizes findings from the subgrantee projects. 

Please review the full Request for Proposals here for all details.

Details

Understanding the School Food Workforce subgrants will fund research projects related to the K-12 school foodservice workforce, including: workforce demographics and composition; school food finances, budget composition; privatization trends; training and skill development; recruitment and retention; job evaluation and market analysis; job satisfaction and career development; and strategies for shifting public perception, empowering workers, and improving both the financial well-being of school food workers and the fiscal solvency of school food programs.

The results of this research may lead not only to improved job quality and higher compensation for school food workers, but also to healthier, fresher, and more sustainably sourced food for K-12 students.

At the end of the cooperative agreement, the Understanding the School Food Workforce project team will develop and release a summary report that synthesizes findings from the subgrantee projects. 

Please review the full Request for Proposals here for all details.

Key Objectives

1

Increase understanding of the current state of the school foodservice workforce and the structure of their jobs

2

Increase understanding about how, if at all, recruitment, retention, and job satisfaction are impacted by school/school food authority (SFA) characteristics and employment structure

3

Identify the most promising strategies for creating a stable and respected school food workforce equipped to provide fresh, healthy meals to students that also support resilient local and regional food systems


Eligibility

The Understanding the School Food Workforce subgrant opportunity is open to single organizations and collaborative teams. Collaborative teams must identify one lead partner who is responsible for coordinating subgrant activities and complying with reporting requirements.

Eligible project applicant lead partners include:

  • public or private academic and research organizations
  • nonprofit organizations
  • state or local government entities

Eligibility

The Understanding the School Food Workforce subgrant opportunity is open to single organizations and collaborative teams. Collaborative teams must identify one lead partner who is responsible for coordinating subgrant activities and complying with reporting requirements.

Eligible project applicant lead partners include:

  • public or private academic and research organizations
  • nonprofit organizations
  • state or local government entities

Timeline

  • Application period opens: December 2, 2024 — Apply here
  • Informational webinar: December 18, 2024 at 3-4 p.m. ET — Register here
  • Letter of Intent due (optional): January 10, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. ET — Submit Letter of Intent here
  • Application period closes: February 14, 2025 by 11:59 PM ET (NO EXCEPTIONS)
  • Award notifications: Early to mid-April 2025
  • Project period begins: June 1, 2025
  • Project period ends: November 30, 2026*

    *Applicants may suggest a timeline that is less than 18 months if it aligns with the scope of proposed work, however all subgrantees will be expected to share findings with each other and USDA Food and Nutrition Service at the conclusion of the 18-month project window.

Apply

Before applying for an Understanding the School Food Workforce subgrant, please review the full Request for Proposals here for all subgrant details and proposal requirements.

Applications are due February 14, 2025 by 11:59 PM ET (NO EXCEPTIONS). 

If you have questions during the proposal process, please email USFWproject@sohe.wisc.edu
 

Apply

Before applying for an Understanding the School Food Workforce subgrant, please review the full Request for Proposals here for all subgrant details and proposal requirements.

Applications are due February 14, 2025 by 11:59 PM ET (NO EXCEPTIONS). 

If you have questions during the proposal process, please email USFWproject@sohe.wisc.edu
 

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