Get Reimbursed for Missouri Grown Fruits and Vegetables

The Speciality Crop reimbursement is back! The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) is continuing the program to reimburse child care programs for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables from a Missouri farmer or farmers market with produce grown in Missouri.  

The process has changed. Child Care Aware® of Missouri is hosting an information webinar with guest speaker, Lexi Jose from MDA to discuss updates regarding the reimbursement. The webinar is Wednesday, November 6 at 1:00-1:30.  The webinar will be recorded if you are unable to attend.

Click here to register for the webinar and receive the link to the webinar.

The Missouri Grown program is requesting applications for Missouri Early Care & Education Centers (ECE) to submit an application to purchase consumable Missouri specialty crops directly from farmers, starting in December 2024 and continuing through December 2026. Each child care program can apply for a maximum of $2,000. Applications are open until November 22, 2024 with notification of eligilibility anticipated in December 2024. Funds will be reimbursed to ECEs throughout the grant period.

Reimbursements can take place periodically throughout the two-year grant period. Each school/ECE is required to complete educational activities about specialty crop production during the grant period. Details will follow on educational activities once awarded. To learn more click here.

Early care & Education centers eligible to apply to the Missouri Grown program through the Missouri Department of are:

• Licensed family child care
• Licensed child care centers and group homes
• License-exempt child care centers
  

Have a specific question? Contact Lexi Jose at the Missouri Department of Agriculture. She can be reached at Alexis.jose@mda.mo.gov. 

Explore our other Child Care Aware® of Missouri resources:

FREE Clock Hour Training
Scholarships for Educators
Child Care Health and Wellness
Family Child Care Network
Leadership Development Opportunities
Missouri Office of Childhood Updates
Show Me Child Care Resources
Support Child Care Aware® of Missouri
Community Data
Join Our Team
Resources to Build Your Business