USDA Requests Applications for Community Food Projects

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting applications for its Community Foods Project Competitive Grant Program. This program two types of programs: 1) the development of a Community Food Projects (CFP) with a one-time infusion of federal dollars and 2) Planning Projects (PP) to assess the food security needs and plan long-term solutions to help ensure food security in communities. Applications must be received by November 17, 2010.

As the NOFA states:

Community Food Projects are intended to take a comprehensive
 
Planning Projects are intended to take a comprehensive approach to planning for long-term solutions that ensure food security in communities by linking the food production and processing sectors to community development, economic opportunity, and environmental enhancement. PPs may explore the community’s assets, opportunities, and challenges in terms of discovering food security status and may include elements such as: improved access to high quality, affordable food among low-income households; expanded economic opportunities for community residents through local businesses or other economic development; improved employment opportunities, job training, youth apprenticeship, school-to-work transition; and support for local food systems, from urban gardening to local farms, that provide high quality fresh foods with minimal adverse environmental impact. Low-income participants must be the participants and direct beneficiaries of planning projects.

NIFA anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2011 will be approximately $5,000,000. Of that amount, approximately 5 percent may be awarded for Planning Projects. No single grant for a CFP shall exceed $125,000 in any single year or more than $300,000 over three (3) years.  No single PP award shall exceed $25,000 for the total budget period and the maximum PP period shall not exceed three (3) years. Private, nonprofit entities are eligible to apply. Successful CFP applicants and PP award applicants must provide matching on a dollar-for-dollar basis for all federal funds awarded through cash and/or in-kind contributions, including third-party in-kind contributions, including facilities.

For more information, find the NOFA here.