Food Business Microgrant Program

The Food Business Microgrant Program is administered by the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority on behalf of the City of New Orleans and is funded through HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds allocated via the State of Louisiana’s Resilient Communities Infrastructure Program. The program was established in response to infrastructure losses caused by Hurricane Ida, particularly the destruction and disruption of shared commercial kitchen facilities such as Edible Enterprises. The initiative is designed to rebuild and expand access to commissary kitchens that support the local food economy and small-scale food entrepreneurs operating in Orleans Parish. The primary purpose of the program is to stabilize and grow the shared-use commercial kitchen ecosystem in New Orleans. These facilities provide licensed, health department approved spaces where multiple food entrepreneurs, including caterers, food truck operators, and small-scale producers, can prepare and store food in compliance with regulatory standards. By funding improvements to these kitchens, the program aims to restore lost capacity, ensure safe and code compliant operations, and increase equitable access to essential infrastructure for food-based businesses. Funding under this program may be used for capital improvements related to the rehabilitation, reconstruction, expansion, or construction of commissary kitchens. Eligible uses include electrical, plumbing, and mechanical upgrades; installation of ventilation and fire suppression systems; fixed commercial kitchen equipment; sanitation-related improvements such as flooring and walls; ADA accessibility upgrades; and shared-use storage and equipment. The program explicitly excludes funding for operating expenses, payroll, working capital, portable equipment, furnishings unrelated to kitchen operations, and any costs incurred prior to execution of a grant agreement. Eligible applicants include both nonprofit and for profit entities that either currently operate a commissary kitchen in Orleans Parish or have a well-developed and actionable plan to establish one. Applicants must be in good standing with the City of New Orleans, possess any required occupational licenses, be registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State, and be authorized to conduct business with the federal government. Projects must be located within Orleans Parish and must serve food entrepreneurs operating within New Orleans. There is no matching requirement; however, applicants must demonstrate the financial capacity to cover any project costs that exceed the grant award. The application process consists of two stages. The first stage is a pre-application that screens for eligibility and readiness and requires submission of applicant information, project scope, photos, and financial documentation. Selected applicants are then invited to complete a full application with technical assistance support. The second stage requires submission of detailed project designs, at least two contractor bids, a business plan, financial documents, and proof of corridor eligibility. Applications are submitted online only, and participation in an informational session is encouraged but not required. Awards are determined through a competitive evaluation process based on a standardized scoring rubric. Criteria include project need, potential impact, feasibility, safety improvements, strength of the business model, community benefit, and alignment with disaster recovery goals. Grant awards may cover up to 100 percent of eligible costs, with a maximum award of 400000 dollars depending on project competitiveness and funding availability. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis, requiring documentation, inspections, and compliance with program procedures. Projects must adhere to strict timelines and compliance requirements. Construction may only begin after issuance of a Notice to Proceed, and all project activities must be completed within twelve months. Funded improvements must be maintained for a period of three to five years, during which compliance inspections will occur. Recapture provisions apply if projects fail to meet operational readiness requirements, are not maintained, or deviate from approved scopes. Applications opened on June 29, 2026, and program timelines for review and approval typically range from three to six months following submission.

Ensure strong project feasibility and community impact; align with disaster recovery goals; provide complete documentation and contractor bids; do not begin construction before Notice to Proceed