Newburyport Public Schools Receives $40,000 MA FRESH Grant to Launch Living Classroom at Bresnahan Elementary School
November 8, 2026November 8, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Beverly Popoola
Communications Consultant
Massachusetts Farm to School
communications@massfarmtoschool.org
Newburyport Public Schools Receives $40,000 MA FRESH Grant to Launch Living Classroom at Bresnahan Elementary School
Award is part of $401,985 in state funding supporting local food procurement, agricultural education
and Farm to School programming across Massachusetts.
NEWBURYPORT, Mass. (November 6, 2026) – Newburyport Public Schools has received a
$40,000 Massachusetts Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health (MA FRESH) Grant to
launch The Living Classroom across all K–3 classrooms at Bresnahan Elementary School. The
award is part of $401,985 in state funding announced by the Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to support 16 recipients across the Commonwealth.
The MA FRESH Grant Program helps schools and early education programs strengthen their
capacity to grow or procure local food and expand opportunities for food system education. In
Newburyport, the funding will support hands-on, place-based learning that connects classroom
instruction with local agriculture and food systems.
Through The Living Classroom, Bresnahan Elementary School students will have opportunities to
engage with interactive garden spaces both indoors and outdoors, connecting what they learn in the
classroom with the natural world, local farms and the food system.
“We are thrilled to receive the MA FRESH Grant to launch The Living Classroom across all K–3
classrooms at Bresnahan Elementary School. Hands-on, place-based learning allows children to
connect what they learn in the classroom with local farms and food systems. By surrounding our
students with interactive garden spaces inside and out, we are nurturing both their scientific inquiry
and lifelong healthy habits,” said Lisa Furlong, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
at Newburyport Public Schools.
Administered by DESE, the state-funded competitive MA FRESH Grant Program encourages
National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) sponsors
to start or expand initiatives that connect locally grown and procured foods served in school and
early education meal programs with agricultural education and hands-on learning.
The funding supports a range of activities, including school gardens, indoor hydroponic growing
systems, culinary classes and farm field trips that help students explore agriculture, nutrition and the
food system. Grants may also support professional development for educators and school nutrition
professionals, as well as staffing, external partnerships and strategic planning to integrate food
literacy into curriculum and nutrition programming over the long term.
“Farm to School is strongest when what students learn about food is connected to the meals they
eat and the farms and communities around them,” said Simca Horwitz, Co-Director of
Massachusetts Farm to School. “MA FRESH grants give schools and early education programs
practical support to build those connections. We’re excited to see how this year’s recipients use the
funding to create meaningful learning experiences, strengthen local partnerships and make Farm to
School a lasting part of their programs.”
The MA FRESH Grant Program supports long-term investments in local food purchasing and food
system education. By strengthening school-based programs, staff capacity and community
partnerships, these grants help create opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with
food, agriculture and their communities.
2026–27 MA FRESH Grant Recipients
Recipients Amounts
Amherst Public School District $25,835.00
Amherst-Pelham Public School District $18,533.00
Chicopee Public School District $7,185.00
Lawrence Public School District $25,396.00
Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative $11,024.00
Monson Public School District $11,300.00
Newburyport Public School District $40,000.00
North Adams Public School District $30,000.00
North Attleborough Public School $40,000.00
Pelham Public School District $8,398.00
South Hadley Public School District $5,382.00
St. Ann’s Home, Inc $40,000.00
Warwick Public School District $40,000.00
Athol Young Men’s Christian Association $40,000.00
Merrimack Valley Young Men’s Christian Association $19,618.00
NorthStar Learning Center $39,314.00
Total State Funds $401,985.00
Educators, school nutrition professionals and early education providers can learn more about the MA
FRESH Grant Program and access Farm to School resources at
www.massfarmtoschool.org/mafresh-grant/.
About Massachusetts Farm to School
Massachusetts Farm to School strengthens local farms and fisheries and promotes healthy
communities by increasing local food purchasing and education at schools. The organization works
with school communities, farmers, fishers and partners across the Commonwealth to expand access
to local food and create opportunities for students to learn about the food system.
Learn more at
www.massfarmtoschool.org.
