$7.6 million is available to eligible organizations through Round 2 of the New York Food for New York Families (NYFNYF) program. The program, funded through a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant, is providing a boost to New York farmers, increasing communities’ access to local foods, and further strengthening New York’s food system. In November 2023, Governor Hochul announced over $40 million had been awarded to 102 food service organizations across the state through Round 1 of the program.
A total of $7.6 million is available for Round 2 projects. Applicants may apply for a minimum of $250,000 and a maximum of $2 million in funding. Awarded projects will support local and traditionally disadvantaged farmers by expanding economic opportunities and creating new marketing channels for them within the state while ensuring local food gets to New York families who need it most.
Examples of projects that may be funded during Round 2 include:
- A not-for-profit may purchase more local food and expand delivery to new communities in food-insecure areas,
- A local or municipal government may purchase more local food for facilities in food-insecure communities,
- A food bank or pantry may purchase food boxes directly from a farm,
- A community center may initiate a backpack program to send food home with clients, or
- A not-for-profit child-care center serving food-insecure communities may purchase more local food for meals and snacks
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, agricultural cooperatives, tribal organizations, public educational institutions, and local or municipal governments. Entities that received an award through the first round of funding are not eligible to apply. An informational webinar will be held on January 18 at 3:00 pm. Registration is available online.
Proposals must be received by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets by 3:00 pm local time on February 15, 2024. Applicants should be aware that applications for this round are required to be submitted as a paper application as New York State is currently transitioning from Grants Gateway to the Statewide Financial System (SFS). Applicants are still required to be prequalified in SFS after it goes live on January 16. Interested entities can find out more at grantsmanagement.ny.gov/transition-SFS. Additional information can be found at agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0325-new-york-food-new-york-families-round-2.
“In my 2024 State of the State, I solidified my commitment to creating a more resilient future for New York’s agriculture and food sectors – continuing the New York Food for New York Families program doubles down on that goal,” Governor Hochul said. “Projects awarded through Round 1 of this transformative program are already helping to bring fresh, local food to families that need it most, while also supporting New York’s farming community. Round 2 of the program is now open for community organizations to apply and the projects that come to fruition will undoubtedly strengthen the system we are building to help our most vulnerable New Yorkers.”
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Our New York Food For New York Families program helps local food organizations expand their impact on the farmers they support and provide more high quality, nutritious food to the families they help feed. I’m proud of what this program is accomplishing so far, with over $40 million already awarded to 102 projects across the state already. I look forward to seeing what the Round 2 projects will have in store, and encourage all eligible entities to apply.”
