The Salamanca City School District and Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School will each receive $100,000 for their farm-to-school programs, State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced Wednesday.

Funding for the Salamanca City School District will be used to purchase a food truck, which will be used as a teaching tool for students who are interested in business, culinary arts and cultural events, while funding for the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School will help increase the amount of New York State farm products through "Harvest of the Month" themes, student taste tests, educational exploration activities, and events.

"In New York State, we’re lucky to have some of the highest quality agricultural producers in the world right at our fingertips," Commissioner Ball said. "New York's Farm-to-School Program incorporates fresh, locally grown foods into school menus while increasing students’ understanding of where – and who – their meals come from. Today’s awarded projects are great examples of how we are helping to connect the dots between our growers and the communities they serve, strengthen our local food system, and provide a boost to our farmers statewide. I look forward to seeing the impact that these projects will make across the state."

In total, 16 organizations were awarded more than $1.5 million in funding through New York’s Farm-to-School program, serving students in kindergarten through Grade 12.