State Food and Nutrition Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools in California to improve the quality of school meals and enhance the recruitment and retention of school nutrition professionals.

The Community Wildfire Risk Reduction for the Built Environment grant, offered by the Oregon State Fire Marshal, aims to enhance wildfire defensible space across Oregon. This initiative is designed to fund wildfire mitigation projects undertaken by structural fire protection agencies, counties, and cities. The overarching goal is to increase the safety and resilience of communities against wildfire threats within the built environment. The grant prioritizes projects that focus on two main categories: Defensible Space Projects and Community Protection Projects. Defensible Space Projects target wildfire mitigation and protection within 100 feet of buildings, allocating approximately 70% of available funds. Examples include incentive programs for private landowners, direct contracts for fire-resistant landscaping around various buildings, and community cleanup or chipper programs. Community Protection Projects extend beyond the immediate vicinity of critical infrastructure to create community-wide fire breaks and other mitigation efforts, such as fuel mitigation on municipal or county properties and the creation of greenways. The target beneficiaries of this grant are structural fire protection agencies, counties, and cities within Oregon, which will then implement projects benefiting private landowners, residents, and the broader community by increasing their protection from wildfires. The grant seeks to achieve measurable outcomes, including a reduction in wildfire risk, an increase in defensible space around buildings, and the establishment of community-wide fire breaks. Projects are expected to directly contribute to enhanced wildfire safety and community resilience. Eligible costs include plant and tree fuel reduction, equipment like chippers, and contractors or non-profit organizations for wildfire fuel reduction and defensible space work. Education, communication, and outreach directly supporting the projects are also allowable, along with a limited allocation for project coordination and indirect costs. The Oregon State Fire Marshal's grant program will prioritize applications based on fire-risk, social vulnerability index, and the clarity of the proposed project, ensuring that funding is directed to areas where it can have the most significant impact.

Under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) and funded by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Simplified Equipment-Only Grants are designed to support Pennsylvania's food system transformation. These grants, focusing on equipment purchases for small to mid-size producers and processors, aim to diversify, distribute, and localize food systems to enhance consumer access, producer options, and rural community markets. Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $100,000, requiring no cost sharing. Eligible equipment expenses include purchase costs, delivery, and installation if included in the official bid. Applications are accepted electronically, with project completion required by June 30, 2026.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Urban Forestry Division (UFD) is offering grants to promote urban forestry activities in disadvantaged communities within the District of Columbia. This program aligns with the broader mission of enhancing urban environments and improving community well-being through nature-based solutions. The grants are designed to support a wide range of activities authorized by the USFS Urban and Community Forestry Program, ensuring a comprehensive approach to urban forest development and stewardship. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are disadvantaged communities within the District of Columbia. The program specifically targets areas that have been historically overburdened and under-resourced, aiming to address environmental inequities. The impact goals include promoting urban wood utilization, establishing urban food forests, mitigating extreme heat, fostering urban forest stewardship, improving access to green spaces, and developing a skilled workforce in urban forestry. Additionally, the program seeks to deliver nature-based interventions such as forest therapy, urban forest interpretation, and environmental education to these communities. The priorities and focuses of this grant include supporting activities that promote urban forestry through various means. This encompasses physical interventions like creating urban food forests and mitigating heat, as well as educational and engagement initiatives such as environmental education and forest therapy. The program emphasizes workforce development within urban forestry, aiming to build local capacity and create economic opportunities in disadvantaged areas. Eligible applicants include local government, non-governmental, and community-based organizations, highlighting a collaborative approach to achieving the program's objectives. Expected outcomes of this grant program include a noticeable increase in urban forestry activities and green infrastructure within disadvantaged communities. Measurable results will include the number of urban wood utilization projects, the establishment of new urban food forests, the extent of extreme heat mitigation achieved, the level of community engagement in urban forest stewardship, and the number of individuals trained through workforce development programs. Ultimately, the program aims to improve environmental quality, enhance community health and well-being, and foster a greater connection to nature in areas that need it most.

This grant provides funding to support value-added agricultural processing, regional food systems development, and increased access to healthy food in Michigan, particularly for minority-owned, veteran, and underserved farming operations.

This program provides funding to individuals, businesses, and organizations in Missouri for projects that increase local food production and availability, particularly in areas facing food insecurity.

This funding provides financial assistance to eligible school food authorities in California for purchasing or renovating equipment to improve nutrition quality and serve healthier meals in schools.

This opportunity allows Vermont-based businesses to showcase and sell their products at a major annual fair in Massachusetts, promoting local goods and enhancing brand visibility while adhering to specific guidelines and requirements.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering the Illinois Grocery Initiative New Stores in Food Deserts program to enhance access to fresh food in underserved areas. This grant program is designed to incentivize the establishment of new grocery stores within "food deserts," which are census tracts characterized by specific poverty standards, population density, and limited food accessibility. The core mission alignment is to combat food insecurity and improve public health by addressing the systemic issue of inadequate access to nutritious food. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are communities residing in identified food deserts across all counties in Illinois. The impact goals are to alleviate food insecurity, increase the availability of fresh and healthy food options, and foster economic development within these communities. The program prioritizes supporting the establishment of new grocery stores by offering competitive grants to cover eligible capital and non-capital costs, effectively reducing the financial barriers for businesses willing to operate in these challenging environments. Expected outcomes include a significant increase in the number of new grocery stores operating in food desert areas, leading to improved food access for residents. Measurable results will be tracked through quarterly performance data submitted by grantees. These measures encompass the completion of new store project milestones, quarterly food sales, the sustained operation of new grocery stores for at least one year post-completion, and the number of employees in full-time equivalents. These metrics will allow DCEO to assess the program's effectiveness in achieving its objectives. The DCEO's strategic priority through this initiative is to directly address social determinants of health and economic equity by ensuring all Illinois residents have equitable access to healthy food options. The underlying theory of change is that by providing financial incentives for new grocery stores in food deserts, the market will respond to the unmet demand for fresh food, thereby improving community health, increasing local employment, and revitalizing underserved areas. The total funding allocated is $14 million across multiple rounds, with individual awards ranging from $160,000 to $2,400,000, demonstrating a substantial commitment to this strategic goal. The project period is from July 1st, 2024, to December 31st, 2026.

This program provides funding to Utah-based agricultural producers, processors, and organizations to improve food supply chain infrastructure and enhance market access for local food systems.

This program provides funding for Wisconsin-based small businesses, nonprofits, and local governments to purchase equipment that enhances the processing, storage, and distribution of locally produced food products.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses in Portland that have suffered from break-ins or vandalism, helping them cover repair costs and improve security measures.

Grants for Workforce Development Innovation Initiatives in the District of Columbia are available to support innovative solutions for residents to enter and sustain employment, ultimately contributing to the District's economy. The grant program encompasses various areas such as youth programs, initiatives for returning citizens and adults with barriers to employment, labor market research, workforce and federal programs, labor standards, unemployment insurance outreach, paid family leave support, and infrastructure job assistance. Service categories include work readiness, job readiness, occupational skills development, job placement assistance, research, and education/outreach efforts.

The Community Climate Action Grant program, spearheaded by Albemarle County, aims to foster local projects that bolster the community's capacity to diminish greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative directly aligns with the county's broader mission to implement its Climate Action Plan, which was adopted in 2020. By leveraging external community resources and local groups, the program seeks to make climate action a more inclusive and participatory process, thereby extending the reach and impact of governmental efforts to combat climate change. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are community-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, or those affiliated with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, that are principally and physically located in Albemarle County. Groups located outside the county may also apply if they can demonstrate that their services will primarily benefit people or places within Albemarle County. The impact goals are centered on tangibly advancing the goals, strategies, and actions outlined in the County’s Climate Action Plan, with a clear focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration. The program prioritizes projects that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across various sectors, including transportation, buildings, waste, agriculture, and natural areas. Additionally, it supports initiatives that increase carbon sequestration in agriculture or natural systems. The grant explicitly aims to achieve four key program goals: reduce greenhouse gas emissions, advance equity and inclusion, build community, and support thoughtful and achievable projects. These goals underscore the county's strategic priorities, emphasizing not just environmental impact but also social equity and community engagement as integral components of effective climate action. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within Albemarle County, an increase in community participation and inclusivity in climate action efforts, and the successful implementation of diverse projects that align with the county’s Climate Action Plan. The program's theory of change posits that by empowering and funding local community groups, the county can harness a wider range of innovative solutions and foster a more widespread commitment to climate resilience. Grant requests can range from $5,000 to $25,000, with a total of $100,000 available for 2024, indicating a strategic investment in multiple, impactful local initiatives rather than a single large-scale project.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is offering the Community Tree Planting Program, funded by the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) through the 2008 State Legislature. This grant program is administered by the Division of Forestry’s Urban and Community Forestry Program. The core mission of this grant is to increase the tree resource base in cities and towns across Tennessee, focusing on the functional benefits of urban trees rather than solely on beautification. The primary beneficiaries of this program are communities and local units of government, non-profit organizations, and elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions within Tennessee. The impact goal is to enhance the state's urban tree resources to provide direct cost-saving benefits to communities. These benefits include energy savings through shading, storm water mitigation, rain interception, and improved air quality through filtration and absorption. The program's priorities and focuses are explicitly not beautification but rather the practical, environmental services that trees provide. It emphasizes that trees are "work horses for communities." Recommended goals and objectives for applicants include statements about urban trees providing cooler temperatures, cleaner air, reduced flooding and erosion, improved human health, and food and shelter for wildlife. Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the increase in the tree resource base and the subsequent realization of the aforementioned environmental and economic benefits. While specific metrics are not detailed in the provided text, the focus on quantifiable benefits like energy savings and storm water mitigation implies an expectation of measurable improvements in these areas. The grant contracts will run from December 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025, suggesting that the initial outcomes will be assessed within this timeframe. Eligible applicants can apply for grants ranging from $500 to $20,000, which further indicates a focus on smaller, community-level projects with clear, achievable objectives.

The Make it Minnesota Marketing Investment Cost-Share Program, funded by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's AGRI Program, supports Minnesota-based consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies in food, beverage, or pet food sectors. The program reimburses 50% of eligible marketing investments up to a maximum of $3,000 per company per fiscal year. This funding can be used for in-store demonstrations, Minnesota Pavilion events, and B2B tradeshow costs, among other high-impact marketing activities. The program aims to help these companies increase their market presence both domestically and internationally.

This track of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program provides approximately $1 million for grants aimed at purchasing equipment necessary for the middle of the food supply chain activities in Vermont. The grants range from $30,000 to $100,000 with no match requirement. Applications for this track are set to open in late August 2024 and close in early October 2024, with grant activities beginning in early 2025.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local public health agencies in Minnesota to improve food security and promote local food economies in low-income and disadvantaged communities through regional collaboration.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Bureau of  Nutrition and Physical Activity (BNPA) administers funds provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the operation of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program (BFPC) for the State of Arizona. The USDA nutrition programs are discretionary, and each provides a specific service to women, infants, and children who are low-income and at nutritional risk. The overall goal of all the USDA Nutrition Programs is to increase food security and reduce hunger by providing eligible participants access to nourishing food and supportive nutrition education. ADHS is working with the counties to provide WIC services, and this opportunity is to provide additional community support as needed.  Financial Notes: N/A

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, conservation districts, non-profits, and organized private entities in Colorado for the management and eradication of noxious weeds.