Utah Food Security Grant Program

The Utah Food Security Grant Program is administered by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food through its Marketing and Economic Development division. The program is funded through the Rural Health Transformation Program in partnership with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Its primary objective is to strengthen Utah’s food supply chain by investing in agricultural production, processing, storage, distribution, market access, and local food promotion. The initiative is designed to address infrastructure gaps in rural food systems, improve access to locally produced food, and enhance the resilience and competitiveness of Utah-based producers and food businesses. The grant supports projects that directly increase the availability of Utah-grown or Utah-raised food, particularly in rural areas. Funding can be used for equipment, infrastructure, technology, certifications, and related investments that contribute to food production and distribution capacity. Eligible uses include agricultural production tools such as tractors and irrigation systems, processing equipment such as packaging and slaughter machinery, distribution enhancements like refrigerated vehicles and logistics software, and storage solutions including cold storage and HVAC upgrades. Market access investments such as e-commerce platforms and point-of-sale systems are also supported, along with certifications and training programs that improve compliance and competitiveness. However, the program restricts funding for major construction, land acquisition, personnel costs, and ineligible food categories such as highly processed products, alcohol, and items containing artificial additives or excessive added sugars. The program offers three funding tiers to accommodate businesses at different stages of development. Microgrants range from one thousand to ten thousand dollars, startup awards range from ten thousand to fifty thousand dollars for newer businesses, and standard awards range from ten thousand to one million dollars for established entities. The total funding available for the 2026 cycle is approximately nine million two hundred sixty five thousand dollars. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, requiring recipients to incur and document eligible expenses before requesting reimbursement. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to finance project costs upfront and comply with documentation requirements such as receipts and proof of payment. Eligibility is broad and includes individual producers, for profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, cooperatives, schools, and government entities located in Utah. Applicants must produce food for commercial sale using at least fifty one percent Utah grown or raised inputs and ensure that at least twenty five percent of their products are distributed to rural counties. Additional requirements include maintaining compliance with all applicable regulations, obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier, and being in good standing with any existing state loans. Special eligibility conditions apply to meat and poultry processors, which must meet specific inspection or licensing standards. Applications must be submitted online through the Submittable platform. The process includes an eligibility screening followed by a detailed application form with multiple narrative and quantitative questions. Applicants are required to describe their project scope, current operations, expected impact, market demand, and long term sustainability. They must also outline budget priorities, project timelines, and data tracking methods. The application emphasizes measurable outcomes, particularly increases in food availability in rural Utah, and requires applicants to demonstrate readiness to implement projects within six to twelve months of award. Proposals are evaluated through a competitive review process using a structured scoring system. Criteria include the project’s potential impact on food availability, the percentage of Utah sourced ingredients, implementation timeline, benefits to multiple producers, participation in institutional markets, and capacity for data tracking. Additional points are awarded for projects that support rural communities, demonstrate market demand, and maintain sustainable business models. Awards are provisionally announced in October, with contracts finalized shortly thereafter, and projects beginning in late October or November. The application cycle for this grant opens on July twenty one and closes on August thirty first at eleven fifty nine pm. The review period occurs in September, followed by award announcements in October and contract execution shortly thereafter. Projects must be completed and funds expended by September thirty of the following year. The program is expected to continue annually through at least 2031, subject to continued funding. Applicants can seek assistance through the program’s official email and designated staff contacts for guidance during the application process.

Focus on demonstrating measurable impact on rural food access; maximize Utah sourced inputs percentage; show readiness to implement within 6 months; clearly document market demand and sustainability