Providers Choice Blog

May 21st, 2025
Molly Turnquist Butala, MPH, RDN, LD, CMP, CCNP, Nutrition Manager

The Local Tots Cost Share Program is new this year and marks the first time that family child care home providers are eligible for these funds!

We are overjoyed to see the amount of interest and excitement for these grants across the great state of Minnesota! They are not only great for the children who will receive more fresh, locally grown food while in care, but they also provide an incredible opportunity for farmers across Minnesota to build relationships with early care providers in their community and access new markets. It’s a win-win-win for everyone who cares about farmers, child care providers, and the health and wellbeing of children across Minnesota.

Farm to Early Care is short for Farm to Early Care & Education (Farm to ECE). It’s not a specific program, but simply a variety of food and nutrition activities that many of you are already doing in your child care program:

If you are doing any of the activities listed above, you are already participating! We’d love to hear about and celebrate what you are doing. If you aren’t already, we encourage you to start small. There are many resources available to get you started:

Yes, we expect these grants to be available again this fall. Watch out for announcements in our monthly newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay informed on this grant and other great opportunities. Refer to MDA’s Farm to School and Early Care grant website for more detailed information.


Child Care Centers:

Agape Child Development Center, Minneapolis
Eureka Kids, Rochester
Amberlie Haak, Pipestone
Los Amiguitos De River Heights, Inver Grove Heights
Northfield Montessori, Northfield
Olu’s Beginnings, Minneapolis
Nisse Treehouse, Mabel

Family Child Care Home Providers:

Dawn Anderson, Crookston Theresa Andrews, Renville Laura Back, Albert Lea Jill Baer, Montgomery Hannah Baune, Lakeville Elizabeth Becker, Moorhead Marijo Beckstrand, Waldorf Beth Beltz, Inver Grove Heights Annalise Berres, Stillwater Ashley Bickle, Red Wing Joyce Block, Minnetonka Taylor Brooks, Spring Valley Lynn Buley, Sartell Lilia Bull, Hutchinson Ann Bullerman, Adrian Doreen Burks, Hutchinson Michelle Carlson, Fosston Brooke Carr, Spring Valley Christine Carrigan, Hutchinson Jessica Cave, Brainerd Merry Charles, Bagley Tara Churchill, Luverne Adriana Clusiau, Coleraine Pam Colby, Minneapolis Carolyn Collins, Saint Paul Marah Collins, Stewartville Catherine Contreras, Minneapolis Nicole Debbaut, Milroy Jennifer DeBlieck, Park Rapids Becky Defries, Mankato Lynne DeVallier, Woodbury Jennamae Dogotch, Litchfield Sarah Ellis, East Grand Forks Cassandra Emmel, Saint Cloud Julie Fees, Saint Paul Alexis Frank, Cloquet Wendy Franklin, Delano Dawn Fredlund, Mora Taylor Frier, Detroit Lakes Kristen Glowacki, Plymouth Brianna Graber, Becker Natalie Grauman, Tenstrike Phyleasha Grauman, Tenstrike

Michelle Groetsch, Sauk Centre Elizabeth Hagerty, Northfield Annie Hanson, Eagan Janell Hartjen, Pelican Rapids Danelle Helget, Sauk Rapids Heidi Highet, Rochester Tera Hoffman, Cottage Grove Cheryl Holzknecht, Elk River Amy Hooser, Waverly Kimberly Horn, Eyota Carol Jackson, Prior Lake Whitney Jackson, Minneapolis Belinda Johnson, Erskine Sara Johnson, Detroit Lakes Michaela Johnson, Cedar Julie Jones, Isanti Kellie Kimmes, Hastings Angela King, Isanti Cynthia Kish, Minneapolis Carrie Krent, Lakeville Samantha Kujava, Hawley Emily Kurschner, Bemidji Constance Lahammer, Burnsville Suzanne Landreville, Apple Valley Margorie Lapinski, Woodbury Melissa Lawwell, Saint Joseph April Leeb, Sauk Rapids Roberta Lilienthal, Plato Karen Love, Apple Valley Tabytha Luikens, Savage Jayne Martinson, Little Falls Stephanie May, Becker Kimberly McCullough, Prior Lake Kayla McNamara, Becker Nicole Miller, Hillman Lynn Moore, Saint Paul Michelle Moosey, Edgerton Laurie Mueller, Saint Charles Ronda Mundahl, Willmar Deanna Nathan, Cold Spring Latasha Nelson, Little Falls Nevette Neubert, Winger Kimberly Olson, Golden Valley

Greta Olson, Rice Kelly Olson, Albertville Chellsey Olson, Rushford Patricia Orth, Randall Geri Peterson, Eagan Stefanie Pint, New Prague Joan Prahm, Slayton Terry Puro, Ham Lake Helen & Carol Reichenbacher, Anoka Gwen Rhubee, Windom Heather Ridenour, Rochester Julia Risland, Pine City Tiki Sandoz, Clear Lake Alisa Schipper, Cleveland Nichole Schroeder, New Ulm Stacy Scott, Moorhead Andrea Scrabeck, Wykoff Amy Sellner, Le Center Ellen Sheehan, Rochester Anna Smith, Rochester Kari Smith, Park Rapids Summer Snow, Zimmerman Peter & Maureen Speltz, Rollingstone Christine Spillers, Saint Joseph Jessica Stockamp, Otsego Paige Stone, Hutchinson Nadine Streit, Saint Augusta Emily Struffert, Becker Jennie Thao, Saint Paul Melanee Theodorson, Hastings Falyn Thom, Barnesville Angela Timm, Farmington Victoria Timm, Elgin Tammy Torma, Frazee June Turany, Bryron Michelle Weiler, Willmar Taylor Wilke, Blaine Barb Wilkinson, Maple Grove Isabell Willock, Litchfield Julie Wolfe, Kasson Susan Yoakum, Willmar Jillayne Young, Hutchinson Melissa Zahn, Kasson

Recipients who need help identifying eligible items to purchase or with recordkeeping requirements for the grant can feel free to reach out for assistance from our Nutrition Team. Although the MDA Farm to Early Care Grant is separate from the Food Program, we are here to support you with all things related to food.

Congrats to these recipients.

Questions? Reach out! We love working with providers and are dedicated to supporting you.