Cooking Grants
The key to finding cooking grants is knowing how to serve the interests of the grant-making organizations. From nonprofits to government agencies, numerous organizations have established grants to help people learn to cook, eat nutritious food, cook professionally and support local restaurants. Finding these grants requires a little bit of research, most of which can be done on the Internet.
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Culinary School Grants
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The American Society of Chefs, the honor society of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), maintains a list of scholarships and grants for high school seniors and college students. Local and state chapters of the ACF may also have culinary school scholarships. Finally, many state restaurant associations also offer grants to help people pay for culinary school. If you are already employed, check to see if your employer offers a tuition subsidy if you take classes related to your job. Since many community college programs require business classes for a culinary degree, you may be able to satisfy some of your requirements at your company's expense.
Agriculture Grants
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State and federal governments offer low-cost loans and grants to farmers to grow food. Some may also offer help to learn how to cook it -- a move that may help farmers market their product. The Texas Department of Agriculture offered grants to bring professional chefs to local farmers markets. Farmers could receive grants of up to $1,000 to host a chef to demonstrate the uses of their produce under a program known as "market to menu." Check with your state agriculture department to see if these programs exist in your area.
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Nutritious Food
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Several states administer grants on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the goal of teaching children to cook healthy meals. Programs funded by the grants must generally serve low-income households supported by food stamps. In New Hampshire, the grants funded the expansion of an after-school cooking club. These grants may not be available in every state because they require local matching funds.
Restaurant Grants
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Restaurants promote foot traffic in vital downtown areas, making them feel safe while providing jobs to nearby residents. Various government agencies offer grants to help people start their own restaurants. In Findlay, Ohio, for example, the local government gave a private company more than $200,000 to buy equipment for a fast food restaurant., using Community Development Block Grant funds. In Putnam County, Ohio, those same funds were used to help a business restore a 1949 diner. Other government agencies, such as the small business administration or state agencies, may offer these grants.
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References
- Photo Credit food image by brijesh gurnani from Fotolia.com
