Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program | USDA NIFA CFP 008683

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA CFP 008683

The Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (CFPCGP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) funding opportunity aimed at strengthening community food security through locally driven, practical projects. NIFA plans to fund two grant types under this program: (1) Community Food Projects (CFP) and (2) Planning Projects (PP). Both tracks require applicants to focus on a clearly defined community and to spell out, in concrete terms, what they will do, what outcomes they expect, and how the work will improve food security in ways that align with the CFPCGP program goals.

Community Food Projects (CFP) are intended to help launch or expand community-based food initiatives using a one-time infusion of federal funds, with the expectation that the project becomes self-sustaining beyond the grant period. In practice, that means proposals should show how the project will build durable capacity in the community, rather than relying on ongoing federal support. Projects are expected to connect activities and outcomes to real needs in low-income communities, often through efforts that strengthen local and regional food systems, support producers (especially small and medium-sized farms), and improve access to nutritious food where barriers are greatest.

Planning Projects (PP) are smaller, planning-focused awards designed to help communities develop a solid, actionable plan to improve local food security. Instead of funding a full program implementation right away, this track supports the work needed to design an effective strategy: assessing needs, coordinating partners, identifying gaps in the local food system, selecting interventions, and laying out measurable steps and outcomes. The end product is typically a detailed community food security plan that fits CFPCGP goals and is ready to guide future implementation and funding.

Eligibility is limited to certain types of applicants: public food program service providers, tribal organizations, and private nonprofit entities, including gleaners (as defined in the program guidance). Beyond being in one of those categories, applicants must also meet four core requirements. First, they must show relevant experience in community food work, especially efforts that connect small and medium-sized farms to low-income consumers, develop new markets in low-income communities for agricultural producers, provide food to low-income populations, offer job training and business development tied to food-related activities, and reduce food insecurity through activities like food distribution, improving access to services, or coordinating programs.

Second, applicants must demonstrate they can manage and deliver the project responsibly, including strong fiscal accountability. If an applicant cannot directly receive federal funds, they are allowed to use a fiscal agent (an organization that manages financial responsibilities on the applicant’s behalf). In that case, the application must include a letter stating that funds will be administered through the fiscal agent if an award is made. The fiscal agent must be clearly identified, the letter must be countersigned by an authorized representative of the fiscal agent organization, and it must include basic contact details (point of contact, address, phone, fax, and email). This documentation is submitted as an attachment in the application package, and if the project is recommended for funding, NIFA will request additional management information from both the applicant and the fiscal agent.

Third, applicants must be prepared to collect data and produce reports and documentation throughout the award. A Data Management Plan (DMP) is required and is part of the merit review. The DMP should explain how baseline data will be handled, how ongoing data will be collected and managed, and how the project team (including the project director and any co-project directors) will disseminate the data and results. The program emphasizes sharing information with researchers, evaluators, practitioners, and other interested parties, so the plan should be specific about what will be shared, how it will be organized, and how the project will communicate findings in useful formats.

Fourth, applicants must collaborate with at least one local partner organization to advance at least one “hunger-free communities” goal referenced in the program materials. While partnerships are strongly encouraged and can include public or private entities, nonprofits or for-profits, academic institutions (including minority-serving institutions), community-based organizations, and local government, only the main applicant must meet the formal eligibility requirements. Partners and collaborators do not have to meet those criteria. The program also allows award recipients to issue subawards to entities that are not eligible to apply directly, as long as those organizations are necessary to carry out the project successfully.

Administratively, this opportunity is a mandatory grant program administered by USDA NIFA under CFDA 10.225. The posted opportunity information lists an award ceiling of $400,000 and a closing date of December 20, 2021 (as provided in the source details). A key compliance point is that eligibility is strictly enforced: if an applicant does not meet the criteria by the application deadline, the application is excluded from consideration.

• The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.225.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-11-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-12-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for USDA NIFA CFP 008683

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