By Blake Jackson
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the new $10 million Food Access Expansion Grant Program to address food insecurity in underserved New York communities.
The program aims to increase access to healthy, affordable food options by supporting the development and expansion of supermarkets, food cooperatives, farm stands, and other retail food stores.
“The Food Access Expansion Grant Program will support critical projects that will help us reach our goals of offering healthy, affordable food for our families,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “Too often, families are faced with little to no options in their community to purchase fresh, local food that is also in their budget. This program will provide resources to assist with the upgrading of food stores and farm stands and provide them with the capacity to prepare and sell locally sourced food while also supporting our farmers.”
According to a report by the Office of the State Comptroller, approximately 10 percent of New Yorkers experienced food insecurity between 2019 and 2021.
Grants through the Food Access Expansion Grant program will range from $250,000 to $3 million and will be awarded to eligible applicants for projects that increase food availability.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- Start-up, improvement, or expansion of a retail food store
- Construction or upgrades of commercial kitchens for food preparation and preservation
- Purchase of kitchen equipment for preparing and selling ready-made food
- Construction or upgrades of retail food storage space
- Purchase of equipment for food storage, processing, or handling
- Purchase of retail refrigeration and market displays
- Creation or expansion of mobile markets
Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, public benefit corporations, local development corporations, tribal governments, and local and municipal government agencies. Partnerships with for-profit retailers are also encouraged.
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Since the pandemic, the Department has focused in on addressing the gaps in the food supply chain and connecting the dots between New Yorkers and our farmers. I am heartened to see the progress we have made so far, with well more than half a dozen programs and initiatives launched by our Governor, with support in the budget, that directly provide a boost to our farmers, reach our underserved communities, and strengthen our food system. We’re proud to build on that success with the launch of the Food Access Expansion Grant program, which will help us bring healthy, affordable foods to New York families who need it most.”
A webinar with additional information on the program will be held on Thursday, September 26 at 12 p.m. Registration is available online. The deadline to apply for the grant is Friday, November 22, 2024.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fatcamera
Categories: New York, Government & Policy