Community Food Systems Grants

These grants fund community-rooted and driven projects that address gaps and shortfalls of the industrial food system. The goal is to support the implementation of place-based practices that provide multi-benefit, long term strategies that improve food access, address equity, economic opportunities, and community health.

In addition to addressing the issues listed above, grant-funded projects conserve natural resources and prevent greenhouse gas emissions by supporting one or more of the following activities: local food production, local sourcing/procurement of food, food recovery, upcycling of surplus food and food byproducts, and community education to help residents reduce wasted food at home.

The Community Food Systems grant category provides funding for innovative projects that improve food access and education for communities that are historically underserved and experience food insecurity.

Project goals

• Encourage multi-benefit practices, partnerships, and long-term strategies to address food insecurity.
• Improve access to nutritious, culturally appropriate, and locally grown food, whenever possible.
• Support efforts that prevent the wasting of nutritious, culturally appropriate, and/or locally grown food and ensure equitable distribution to communities in need.
• Engage individuals and communities in developing kitchen management skills that help make the most of food and food budgets.

Who can apply

This grant is available to nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Businesses that can be identified as small, local, and/or BIPOC led will be prioritized.

Eligible projects must

• Be located in Alameda County.
• Be rooted in the communities they aim to serve.
• Be guided by multi-benefit practices, community partnerships, and long-term strategies that prevent wasted food, improve the value and accessibility of food products and materials, enhance the local food system, and address food insecurity.
• Projects that solely compost or recycle food are not eligible for funding.

Timeline

Funded grant projects are expected to run for one year from the start of the agreement.

Funding amounts

Up to $10,000 per grant request.

Grant Application Timeline

Grant Open: Mid January 2024
Grant Applications Due: March 14, 2024
Grant Awards Announced: May 17, 2024

Grantee Highlight