Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA AMS TM CCG G 26 0001
Apply for USDA AMS TM CCG G 26 0001
- The Agricultural Marketing Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.197.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-01. (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 $7,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance is a discretionary grant opportunity from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) designed to strengthen cold storage capacity for emergency food providers, especially in the middle of the supply chain where food is aggregated, stored, and moved onward to local distribution partners. Rather than funding many organizations directly at the federal level, AMS plans to competitively award funding to at least one qualified national or multi-regional nonprofit that can run and manage a subaward program. The core idea is to place a capable lead organization in charge of administering subgrants that pay for cold-chain equipment and related cold storage investments, with the goal of improving the safety, quality, and availability of perishable foods for people facing low income or financial hardship.
Funding is offered as a grant under CFDA 10.197, and the eligible applicant pool for the main award is limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). AMS anticipates making about three awards, with an award ceiling of up to $7,500,000 per award. Applications are due by October 1, 2026. Because the awards are competitive, applicants are expected to demonstrate that their experience and organizational capacity closely match the program purpose, including the ability to provide ongoing management, oversight, consultation, and technical expertise to subrecipients.
The selected recipient(s) will function as a program manager and intermediary funder. In practice, this means building and operating a subaward process that identifies needs, selects subrecipients, and ensures funds are used appropriately for cold storage improvements. The emphasis is on equipment investments that support cold storage and refrigerated handling within the supply chain, which helps reduce spoilage, maintain food safety, and expand the amount and variety of nutritious perishable items (such as produce, dairy, meat, and prepared meals) that can be distributed reliably. The organizations that ultimately benefit through subawards are expected to include food banks, faith-based organizations, and other public or private nonprofit nutrition assistance providers that distribute food for home use or provide prepared meals to individuals and families with limited resources.
Overall, this opportunity is structured to scale impact through an experienced lead nonprofit that can coordinate a subgrant network and raise cold-chain capacity across multiple communities. Applicants considering the main award should be prepared to show strong grant administration systems, clear plans for equitable and effective subaward distribution, robust compliance and monitoring capabilities, and credible expertise in cold-chain operations or emergency food systems, since AMS is explicitly seeking recipients able to guide and support downstream partners rather than only purchasing equipment for themselves.
Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance (USDA AMS) - FAQs
What is the Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) designed to strengthen cold storage capacity for emergency food providers. The program is focused on improving cold-chain infrastructure so perishable foods can be safely stored, handled, and distributed with less spoilage and better quality.
What is the main goal of this grant program?
The goal is to improve the safety, quality, and availability of perishable foods for people facing low income or financial hardship by funding cold-chain equipment and related cold storage investments. The program emphasizes reducing spoilage, maintaining food safety, and expanding the amount and variety of nutritious perishable foods that can be distributed reliably.
Which USDA office is offering this funding?
The funding is offered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
Is this a formula grant or a competitive grant?
It is a competitive (discretionary) grant opportunity. AMS plans to make awards through a competitive process.
What is the CFDA number for this grant?
The opportunity is offered under CFDA 10.197.
Who is eligible to apply for the main (primary) award?
The eligible applicant pool for the main award is limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
Are institutions of higher education eligible for the main award?
No. Institutions of higher education are explicitly excluded from eligibility for the main award.
How many awards does AMS expect to make?
AMS anticipates making about three awards.
What is the maximum award size?
The award ceiling is up to $7,500,000 per award.
When are applications due?
Applications are due by October 1, 2026.
What type of organization is AMS looking to fund directly?
AMS plans to competitively award funding to at least one qualified national or multi-regional nonprofit that can run and manage a subaward program. The intent is to fund an intermediary organization that can administer subgrants rather than funding many local organizations directly at the federal level.
What does it mean that the recipient will act as a "program manager" and "intermediary funder"?
The selected recipient(s) will be responsible for building and operating a subaward process. That includes identifying needs, selecting subrecipients, administering subawards, and ensuring funds are used appropriately for cold storage improvements.
Does this program fund cold-chain investments for the lead organization only?
The emphasis is on placing a capable lead organization in charge of administering subgrants for cold-chain equipment and related investments. AMS is explicitly seeking recipients able to guide and support downstream partners rather than only purchasing equipment for themselves.
What kinds of investments are emphasized under this opportunity?
The opportunity emphasizes equipment investments that support cold storage and refrigerated handling within the supply chain, particularly where food is aggregated, stored, and moved onward to local distribution partners.
Why is the program focused on the middle of the supply chain?
The program is designed to strengthen cold storage capacity in parts of the emergency food system where food is aggregated, stored, and then transferred to local distribution partners. Strengthening these points can improve system-wide reliability for perishable foods.
What outcomes is the program aiming to achieve for perishable foods?
The program aims to reduce spoilage, maintain food safety, and increase the amount and variety of nutritious perishable foods that can be distributed. Examples of perishable items highlighted include produce, dairy, meat, and prepared meals.
What types of organizations are expected to benefit from subawards?
Organizations expected to ultimately benefit through subawards include food banks, faith-based organizations, and other public or private nonprofit nutrition assistance providers.
What kinds of services do subaward recipients typically provide?
Subaward recipients are expected to distribute food for home use or provide prepared meals to individuals and families with limited resources.
What responsibilities should applicants be ready to take on if selected for the main award?
Applicants should be prepared to provide ongoing management, oversight, consultation, and technical expertise to subrecipients. They should also be ready to coordinate a subgrant network and support downstream partners in implementing cold-chain improvements.
What capabilities does AMS expect from the lead nonprofit?
AMS expects applicants to demonstrate strong grant administration systems, clear plans for equitable and effective subaward distribution, robust compliance and monitoring capabilities, and credible expertise in cold-chain operations or emergency food systems.
What should applicants emphasize in a competitive application?
Because awards are competitive, applicants are expected to show that their experience and organizational capacity closely match the program purpose, particularly their ability to administer and oversee subawards and provide technical support related to cold-chain or emergency food systems.
How is this opportunity structured to scale impact?
Rather than funding many organizations directly, the opportunity is structured to scale through an experienced national or multi-regional lead nonprofit that can coordinate a subgrant network and raise cold-chain capacity across multiple communities.
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