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Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (USDA CSREES) - FAQs

What is the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program?

The Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program is a discretionary federal grant program administered by USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). It supports community-driven projects that strengthen local and regional food systems in ways that directly benefit low-income communities.

What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?

The core intent is to reduce food insecurity while building longer-term, locally controlled solutions. Projects are expected to go beyond short-term food relief by helping communities become more self-reliant in meeting their food needs and by supporting coordinated, comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition challenges.

What types of projects does the program prioritize?

The opportunity emphasizes two broad pathways:

• Projects designed to meet the food needs of low-income people, increase community self-reliance in providing food, and promote comprehensive responses to interconnected issues (such as local agriculture, food access, nutrition education, and community health).
• Projects that address specific state, local, or neighborhood food and agriculture needs through practical capacity-building strategies (such as infrastructure improvement and development, planning for long-term solutions, or innovative marketing approaches that support producers while making healthy food more accessible and affordable for low-income consumers).

Does the program fund short-term food relief (like emergency food distribution) by itself?

The stated expectation is that projects go beyond short-term food relief. Proposals should focus on longer-term solutions that increase community self-reliance and create coordinated responses to food and nutrition challenges.

What is meant by "community-driven" and "locally controlled" solutions in this program?

Based on the opportunity description, the program is oriented toward projects designed and led in ways that strengthen local and regional food systems and build longer-term solutions controlled within the community, particularly to benefit low-income communities.

What is the Food Security Learning Center option?

The Food Security Learning Center is a distinct option within the second pathway. It funds the establishment and operation of a national information and education clearinghouse focused on community food security.

Who is eligible to apply for the Food Security Learning Center component?

Proposals for the Food Security Learning Center are limited to non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Who is eligible to apply for this grant program in general?

Eligibility is limited and defined in the Request for Applications (RFA). In general, only private, nonprofit entities that meet the specific requirements laid out in the RFA may apply.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA CSREES CFP 002195, and the CFDA number is 10.225.

How much total funding was available for this cycle?

Total funding for this cycle was estimated at $5,000,000.

How many awards were expected?

The program expected to make about 25 awards.

What is the minimum and maximum award size?

Individual awards range from a minimum (floor) of $10,000 to a maximum (ceiling) of $300,000.

Is there a matching or cost-sharing requirement?

Yes. The program includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement. Applicants should plan to contribute matching funds or in-kind support as required by the RFA, which governs the exact match rules and acceptable sources.

Where can applicants find the official rules on match requirements, allowable activities, and evaluation criteria?

The Request for Applications (RFA) is the controlling document. It provides the precise definitions, required components, allowable activities, evaluation criteria, match expectations, and any program-specific compliance obligations.

What issue areas does this grant opportunity cover?

The opportunity is categorized across Agriculture, Community Development, and Food and Nutrition. It emphasizes integrated solutions connecting food access with local production, distribution infrastructure, community planning, and market development.

When was this funding opportunity posted and when did it close?

The notice was posted on April 7, 2009. The original closing date was May 13, 2009, and it was later extended to May 18, 2009.

Is this opportunity archived?

Yes. The archive date listed for the notice is February 17, 2010.

What should someone do if they have trouble accessing the announcement electronically?

Applicants were directed to contact the CSREES Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays).

What kinds of strategies are mentioned as examples of capacity-building approaches?

Examples mentioned include infrastructure improvement and development, planning for long-term solutions, and innovative marketing approaches that support agricultural producers while making healthy food more accessible and affordable for low-income consumers.

What does the program mean by a "comprehensive response" to local food and nutrition challenges?

The description highlights coordinated and comprehensive responses that connect issues such as local agriculture, food access, nutrition education, and community health, rather than addressing each issue in isolation.