USDA Child Care Wellness Grant Program – Texas

The FTC grant projects create connections between local farmers, their fresh produce and the children in the child care setting. FTC grants establish a direct purchasing relationship with a local produce grower to integrate more fresh fruits and vegetables into meals and snacks.

FTC funds can be used to create a farm-direct program and sustain it through a variety of resources and activities:

• information on local food sources
• staff training
• equipment to store and prepare food
• field trips to farms and urban gardens
• materials to grow a vegetable garden
• fruits and vegetables for taste tests
• improved nutrition education through books, lesson plans and activity sheets
• program promotional materials
• materials for cooking demonstrations

Texas was one of 14 states awarded grant funding from USDA for projects aimed at improving the health and nutrition of children in child care settings. This grant established the Texas CACFP Child Care Wellness Grant Program which funded Farm to Child Care (FTC)  projects in CACFP child care centers and day care homes across the state.