APPLY TODAY: Grant Funds Now Available for Local Food Producers Supporting Anti-Hunger Efforts
APPLY TODAY: Grant Funds Now Available for Local Food Producers Supporting Anti-Hunger Efforts
We are excited to announce that grant applications are now open for the Oregon Producers Feeding Oregon Communities Fund! As announced in late October, this local funding opportunity is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) — and is administered through a partnership among Oregon Food Bank, Oregon Department of Human Services and Oregon Department of Agriculture.
The Oregon Producers Feeding Oregon Communities Fund will provide more than $2 million to support anti-hunger efforts through purchases of local food from socially disadvantaged farmers, fishers and ranchers — a USDA classification that includes groups that have been subject to systemic racial or ethnic prejudice. This locally-produced food helps to address rising food insecurity throughout the state through distributions to urban, rural and remote communities that have faced disproportionate hunger and poverty for generations.
Through this program, Oregon Food Bank will pay producers up-front for food that is distributed to community members impacted by hunger — with priority given to socially disadvantaged farmers, fishers and ranchers. Types of food that qualify for purchase include fresh produce, nuts and legumes; eggs and dairy; whole grains; meat, poultry, seafood and freshwater fish. Processed products are to be made with at least 51% of locally-grown or -raised produce. Grantees may identify their own distribution outlets, though Oregon Food Bank can help with connections to new or existing distribution outlets as needed.
Local producers can apply for the following funding tiers:
Tier 1: $500 minimum up to $5,000
Tier 2: $5,001 minimum up to $25,000
Tier 3: $25,001 minimum up to $50,000
Grant applications will be accepted online through December 31, 2022 at oregonfoodbank.org/localfood22. Award notices will be sent out the week of January 30, 2023 following panel review. We expect initial funding to reach grant recipients in February 2023.
Feel free to reach out to us at lfpa@oregonfoodbank.org with questions or assistance with the grant program. We look forward to partnering with you to build more resilient food systems in our communities!
