Reminder From New York State Agriculture Commissioner: Deadline Approaching for ‘New York Food for New York Families’ Program Applications

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball reminded food service organizations across the state today that the Department of Agriculture and Markets is still accepting applications for its nearly $26 million New York Food for New York Families. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-funded program aims to provide a boost to New York farmers, increase communities’ access to local foods, and further increase the resilience of New York’s food system. Grants will be awarded to community and government organizations working to increase food purchasing in New York, help producers enter new markets and more. Funding applications are due January 18, 2023. Additional information is available at https://agriculture.ny.gov/new-york-food-new-york-families.

Commissioner Ball said, “Our Food for New York Families program is poised to have a major impact on New York’s food system, helping to get more New York products to tables in the communities that need them most. . I urge all eligible organizations to apply for funding by Wednesday’s deadline to ensure they have a chance to take part in this initiative and continue their great work supporting our farmers and our families.

There are two grant opportunities available through the New York Food for New York Families program. Eligible applicants for both funding tracks include nonprofit organizations, agricultural cooperatives, local and municipal governments, public educational institutions, and Indian tribal organizations. The deadline for applications for both tracks is 18 January 2023 at 16:00

Track 1 is a competitive opportunity focused on New York grocery purchasing and distribution. Examples of projects include:

purchasing more local food for facilities that serve or distribute free food, meals and snacks; expanding distribution to new communities in food insecure areas; hiring additional staff to expand delivery hours; contracting with growers to deliver food or CSA boxes.

These awards will range from $200,000 to $2 million, and 67 percent of the budget must be spent on New York food products. For more information on this opportunity and to apply, visit https://agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0283-new-york-food-new-york-families-track-1.

Track 2 is a non-competitive, first-come, first-served grant opportunity for eligible applications. Examples of Track 2 projects include:

establishing or expanding programs to increase outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged and local growers that will increase their ability to participate in the NYFF program; developing or expanding programs/services that procure New York food products and distribute them to underserved communities; increased New York grocery shopping; creating services to provide food to clients in underserved populations; and improving ‘last mile logistics’ to increase delivery of locally procured food for the programme.

This funding track will be awarded to organizations working within the food system to help producers enter new markets, fill gaps in the supply and distribution chain, or increase underserved communities’ access to local food. These individual awards will range from $10,000 to $50,000. For more information on this opportunity and to apply, visit https://agriculture.ny.gov/rfa-0284-new-york-food-new-york-families-track-2.

Applications for funding must comply with the format provided in Grants Gateway. Two informative webinars for applicants were held in November and December. More information and webinar recordings can be found here: https://agriculture.ny.gov/new-york-food-new-york-families, along with additional resources. The department is holding an ‘open’ session to answer applicants’ questions about funding opportunities on 12 January from 14:00 to 16:00. Interested parties are invited to register for the open house at https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/r4f064cd28cb7c1c53dde147560634750. Additional questions regarding funding tracks should be submitted in writing to [email protected].

The Department was awarded $25.8 million through USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement Program to implement the New York Food for New York Families Program. The program will create a more resilient nationwide food system that supports local farms and provides high-quality, nutritious food to communities facing food insecurity. Food purchases will also support local and traditionally disadvantaged farmers by building and expanding economic opportunities and creating new marketing channels for them within the state, ensuring that local food reaches New York families who need it most.

The main goals of the program are to create and expand partnerships between New York farmers/producers, the food distribution community, and local food networks to ensure the delivery of fresh, nutritious food to rural, remote, and/or underserved areas. underserved; improve food access for underserved communities by taking into account regional challenges; and support local and traditionally disadvantaged farmers/producers by expanding and creating marketing and economic opportunities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, agricultural cooperatives, tribal organizations, public educational institutions, and local or municipal governments.