Access to Local Foods Grants

Overview

Access to Local Foods Grants

Arkansas Community Foundation is seeking proposals for projects that will increase Arkansans’ access to locally grown and produced foods and/or strengthen the local food ecosystem, including:

* Programs that support underrepresented specialty crop farmers from minority (including women) or diverse communities, including technical assistance, equipment, supplies, administrative support, or other needs.
* Programs that operate or pilot innovative strategies to aggregate specialty crops and/or connect local farmers/growers to distribution or retail markets.
* Programs that support local food ecosystems and collaboration among farmers/growers, technical assistance providers, co-ops, and others involved in food production and distribution (could include learning cohorts).

Funding Range

This is a competitive grant cycle, with eight 1-year grant awards of $15,000 each available.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* 501c3 public charities (and organizations that are treated as such under IRS regulation, including schools, churches, hospitals, and government entities) are eligible to apply.
* Applicants must be based in Arkansas or have a significant on-the-ground presence working in Arkansas. 
* WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
* Programs that address barriers to local food production or support small specialty crop growers, especially those from underrepresented farmer/grower communities.
* Proposals that show evidence of partnership and/or how your program connects to a broader ecosystem of local food production and access.
* Project personnel (staff or key volunteers) who have experience with food production, farming, food business marketing or other local food systems skills and experience.

Ineligibility

* WHAT WE’RE NOT LOOKING FOR:
* Community gardening programs that are primarily focused on teaching gardening skills or offering a place for neighbors to garden for their own personal use. While these programs are important, this grant opportunity is more focused on increasing wider community access to locally grown food, either through bringing more food to market or significant distribution to people experiencing food insecurity.
* PK-12 school gardens that are primarily for educational purposes rather than significant food production.