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TAPAZ & Project Roots
Receive USDA Farm to School Grant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Project Roots and TAPAZ Receive USDA Farm to School Grant to Launch Growing Healthy Futures Initiative Across Two Arizona Schools
PHOENIX, Ariz. — July 19, 2026 — Project Roots, in partnership with Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona (TAPAZ), is proud to announce it has been selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to receive a $100,000 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant. The two-year award will support the Growing Healthy Futures Initiative, bringing hands-on agricultural education, nutrition literacy, and fresh food experiences to students at Vista Grove Preparatory Academy and Central High School.
The initiative will establish two indoor aeroponic learning labs featuring 24 Tower Gardens across the two campuses. Students will grow fresh herbs and leafy greens year-round while participating in hands-on lessons that integrate science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), nutrition, culinary arts, and food systems education. The project will also support school meal programs by incorporating student-grown produce into taste tests, culinary demonstrations, and cafeteria offerings while developing a comprehensive Farm-to-School Curriculum Blueprint for grades 6–12.
“This grant is about so much more than growing food,” said Dionne Washington, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Project Roots. “It’s about cultivating curiosity, building confidence, developing future leaders, and creating healthier communities. Every harvest becomes an opportunity for students to explore science, nutrition, sustainability, and service in a meaningful, hands-on way. We are incredibly grateful to the USDA for investing in this vision and to the dedicated team at TAPAZ for believing in Project Roots and partnering with us to bring this opportunity to students across Arizona.”
“We believe learning how to grow food is an essential part of education and a skill that can stay with students for a lifetime,” said Jessica Diamond, Co-Founder and Program Manager of Project Roots. “When children have a hand in the growing process and experience the power of growing something themselves, they build a deeper connection to what they eat, become more willing to try new foods, and begin to see health and nutrition in a completely different way that can extend far beyond the classroom. We want students to leave this experience knowing that growing food is something they can do—and that they have the ability to make healthy choices for themselves, their families, and their communities.”
Project Roots also extends its sincere appreciation to Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona for serving as the project's fiscal sponsor and for providing leadership, grant administration, and financial oversight throughout the application process. This award represents a shared commitment to expanding farm-to-school opportunities and creating lasting educational experiences that connect students to agriculture, nutrition, and healthy food.
“As TAPAZ’s grant coordinator, it is always rewarding to be a part of the grant process. This award doesn’t just fund a program; it's a direct reflection of why TAPAZ exists — to help organizations serving Arizona's underserved communities translate their vision to on-the-ground impact. Seeing that mission fulfilled for both TAPAZ, Project Roots, and Growing Healthy Futures makes this milestone especially meaningful.” - Sonji Perry, TAPAZ Grants Coordinator
"This year's grants are a win-win for schools and children, for farmers and real food," said Patrick A. Penn, Deputy Under Secretary for USDA's Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. "Our Nation's farmers, ranchers and producers grow the safest, most abundant and affordable food in the world, and now more children will get to experience the benefits of that bounty. USDA is fully committed to supporting healthy choices, healthy families, and healthy outcomes through farm to school, and I can't wait to see the life-changing impact these new projects will have on communities across America."
Over the next two years, the Growing Healthy Futures Initiative will engage approximately 1,300 students through hands-on agricultural education, teacher professional development, school nutrition partnerships, and curriculum aligned with Arizona academic standards. Teachers and cafeteria staff will receive specialized training, while students will participate in growing, harvesting, cooking, and learning experiences that strengthen both academic achievement and healthy eating habits.
The project is designed to create a sustainable model that can be replicated in schools across Arizona, demonstrating how innovative indoor agriculture can strengthen school nutrition programs, expand STEM education, and inspire the next generation of leaders in agriculture and food systems.
About Project Roots
Project Roots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating healthier communities through farm-to-school initiatives, agricultural education, nutrition education, and equitable access to fresh food. Serving communities across Arizona while expanding its programs and partnerships into Washington State, Project Roots collaborates with schools, educators, and community organizations to create innovative, hands-on learning experiences that inspire lifelong healthy habits and strengthen local food systems.
About Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona (TAPAZ)
Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona (TAPAZ) is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to support organizations, activities, projects, and strategies that strengthen community-based health services and improve health outcomes for Arizona’s most underserved populations. TAPAZ provides fiscal sponsorship services, including accounting, grant management, technical assistance, and other back-office services to help mission-driven organizations maximize their impact.
USDA Press Release: https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/07/07/usda-makes-american-children-healthier-agriculture-stronger-more-farm-school-investments
Contact:
Dionne Washington, MBA
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Project Roots
dionne.washington@projectrootsaz.org
602-317-9554
Photo Credit: Eric Elmore Photography
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PRESS INFO for Project Roots AZ
About Dionne Washington
Dionne Washington is a local Arizona native with a background in business administration, event planning, and fundraising. She went back to school after having her three children and completed her undergraduate degree in Business Management and her Masters' Degree in Business Administration at Grand Canyon University.
Dionne is passionate about feeding the community and is responsible for all community relationships, grants and fundraising as well as serving as a local food purchaser on behalf of Project Roots in Arizona. Last year Dionne along with the help of the PR Team distributed over 50,000 pounds of food during the pandemic to those with food insecurities. Many of the food banks that Dionne helped distribute food to, were the same food banks she and her siblings ate from when they were younger.
About Project Roots AZ
Project Roots” is a 501(C)3 nonprofit is addressing food hunger in Arizona by offering fresh locally grown food to those with food insecurities. Project Roots grows food for local food banks, agencies, veteran centers, senior centers and schools. The nonprofit seeks to provide and promote a healthier, natural, and more sustainable way of living in urban areas where there is a need. www.projectrootsaz.org
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