USDA Invests Additional $10M to Support Community Food Projects

Earlier this week, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced an investment of nearly $10 million through the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program.  The funding, made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act, bolsters USDA’s food and nutrition security efforts.  Specifically, the funding promotes the self-reliance of communities in providing for the unique food needs of their community members.  Community food projects support small to medium farmers, producers and processors in urban, rural, tribal and insular areas.

The USDA said the program provides communities a voice in food system decisions and supports local food markets to fully benefit the community, increase food and nutrition security and stimulate local economies.  The program funds projects that meet the food needs of low-income individuals through food distribution, community outreach or improved food access.  The funds will be invested in 29 Community Foods Projects from fiscal year 2022 Request for Applications submissions that were highly ranked but could not be funded at the time due to budget constraints.

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