Funding Opportunities
Many private and public financial resources are available that address a wide variety of food access concerns. Some resources support general initiatives, while others are very specific. Unless otherwise noted, all programs below are available nationwide.
General Food Access
Agriculture and Food
Research Initiative (AFRI)
Supporting Agency: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Research, education, and extension grants focused on:
- Combating childhood obesity
- Improving rural economies
- Increasing food production
- Creating new sources of energy
- Mitigating the impacts of climate variability
- Addressing water availability issues
- Ensuring food safety and security
- Training the next generation of agricultural workforce
Farm Aid
Grants awards to nonprofit agencies working with local farmers and addressing food systems change. Also works
directly with farmers.
Healthy Food Access Portal:
Financing
Compilation of targeted healthy food financing resources including grants, loans, and other financial
incentives. Examples include:
- Job creation and retention
- Public health
- Small business development
- Agricultural production
National
Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: Farm Bill Programs & Grants
List of opportunities available to farmers and/or organizations that work with farms and food-related
businesses, including:
- Beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
- Conservation and environment
- Credit and crop insurance
- Food safety
- Local and regional food systems
- Organic production
- Renewable energy
- Rural development
- Sustainable and organic research
Rural
Community Development Initiative Grants (RCDI)
Supporting Agency: USDA Rural Development
Opportunities available to:
- Nonprofit housing organizations
- Nonprofit community development organizations
- Low-income rural communities
- Federally recognized tribes
To support rural communities in developing:
- Housing
- Community facilities
- Community and economic development projects
Seeds of Native Health: A Campaign for
Indigenous Nutrition
Supporting Agency: Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Campaign supporting organizations and programs that increase American Indians' access to fresh,
healthy food and improve their overall wellness.
Food Systems
Community
Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (CFPCGP)
Supporting Agency: USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture
Targeted to community food projects that help promote the self-sufficiency of low-income communities, focusing
on bringing together the entire food system to identify strengths, develop partnerships, and cultivate
community-wide sufficiency.
Grassroots
Organizing for Social Change
Supporting Agency: Ben & Jerry's Foundation
Awards grants to nonprofit organizations with the overarching goal of advancing social and
environmental justice while supporting sustainable and just food systems.
Socially-Disadvantaged
Groups Grant
Supporting Agency: USDA Rural Development
Technical assistance grants provided to cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers working with
socially disadvantaged groups. The cooperative or center can be located in any area, but the groups
assisted must be located in an eligible rural area.
Production and Processing
Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)
Supporting Agency: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Grants that support regional food businesses to increase access to and consumption of locally and
regionally produced agricultural products and to cultivate new opportunities for farm and ranch
operations serving local markets. Planning grants are available as well as implementation grants.
Eligible applicants include:
- Agricultural businesses and cooperatives
- Producer networks and associations
- Community supported agriculture networks and associations
- Other agricultural business entities (for-profit groups)
- Nonprofit and public benefit corporations
- Economic development corporations
- Regional farmers market authorities
- Local and tribal governments
One Step Community Garden
Geographic Coverage: Gardens in the Hy-Vee trade area
Supporting Agency: Hy-Vee, Inc.
Small grants supporting local gardens with community engagement, donation, and education. Money can be used for
materials such as seeds and supplies or garden upgrades.
SeedMoney Crowdgrants
Geographic Coverage: Global
An organization that assists in starting up and sustaining public food gardens. Provides grants,
crowdfunding, and technical assistance in planning.
School-Based
Farm to School Grant Program
Supporting Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Assists eligible entities in implementing farm-to-school programs that improve access to local foods
in eligible schools.
FoodCorps
Geographic Coverage: Currently is partnering with Washington, D.C. and 17 states (AZ, AR,
CA, CT, GA, HI, IA, ME, MA, MI, MS, MT, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OR), each of which applied to be a FoodCorps
partner.
Part of the AmeriCorps network, FoodCorps volunteers are assigned to work in at-risk schools to lead an effort
to create a culture of health by providing lessons to students as well as creating a cafeteria that encourages
smart, healthy choices.
KidsGardening
A nonprofit organization providing grant funding, curricula, lesson plans, and general support on how to teach
kids through gardening.
Secondary
Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants
Program (SPECA)
Supporting Agency: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Grant opportunity that seeks to train the next generation of food, agriculture, natural resources and human
(FANH) scientists as well as cultivate relationships between secondary schools and higher education programs.
National School Garden Program (NSGP)
Supporting Agency: Slow Food USA
The NSGP provides technical assistance, resources, and partnerships to schools so they can educate their
students on growing, cooking, and enjoying real food.
Unprocessed Fruits & Vegetables
Supporting Agency: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
A pilot project that allows school meal programs to request additional support to purchase locally grown fruits
and vegetables using entitlement funds.
Whole Kids Foundation
Geographic Coverage: Nationwide, Canada, U.K.
Grant opportunities and free educational materials that address building healthy eating habits and growing
gardens.
Retail-Based
Community Development Financial
Institutions (CDFI)
Supporting Agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury
Financial lending opportunities that support economic and community development in low-income and distressed
communities.
Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)
Supporting Agency: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Grants that support regional food businesses to increase access to and consumption of locally and regionally
produced agricultural products and to cultivate new opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local
markets. Planning grants are available as well as implementation grants. Eligible applicants include:
- Agricultural businesses and cooperatives
- Producer networks and associations
- Community supported agriculture networks and associations
- Other agricultural business entities (for-profit groups)
- Nonprofit and public benefit corporations
- Economic development corporations
- Regional farmers market authorities
- Local and tribal governments
Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food
Supporting Agency: USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
Compiled list of USDA's efforts focused on developing local and regional food systems.
Healthy
Food Financing Initiative (HFFI)
Supporting Agency: USDHHS, USDA, U.S. Department of Treasury
HFFI expands access to nutritious food in underserved communities by funding efforts such as developing and
equipping grocery stores, small retailers, corner stores, and farmers markets selling healthy food.
Rural
Energy for America Program
Supporting Agency: USDA Rural Development
Loan and grant program supporting agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems
or energy efficiency improvements.
See additional funding opportunities addressing Rural Hunger and Access to Healthy Food.
Resources to Learn More
Farm Sustainability
Website
Nonprofit organization that helps family farmers transition to financially viable, sustainable farm operations
by providing technical assistance, developing tools and resource, and advocating in favor of beneficial
policies.
Organization(s): Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI)