During Hunger Action Month, Hochul launches $10 million program to increase food access

Food Access Expansion Grant program to provide funding for development and expansion of supermarkets, food co-ops, farm stands

During Hunger Action Month, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the new $10 million Food Access Expansion Grant program to help increase food access for New Yorkers living in areas without grocery stores and options for healthy, affordable food. The program will provide infrastructure funding to support the development and expansion of supermarkets, food cooperatives, permanent farm stands, and other retail food stores in underserved regions of the state while also increasing markets for New York farmers. The application period for the program is open. Additional information can be found here.

“The Food Access Expansion Grant program will support critical projects that will help us reach our goals of offering healthy, affordable food for our families,” Hochul said. “Too often, families are faced with little to no options in their community to purchase fresh, local food that is also in their budget. This program will provide resources to assist with the upgrading of food stores and farm stands, and provide them with the capacity to prepare and sell locally sourced food while also supporting our farmers.”

According to a report from the Office of the State Comptroller, between 2019 and 2021, approximately 10% of New Yorkers, or some 800,000 households, experienced food insecurity and struggled with food affordability. Grants through the Food Access Expansion Grant program will range from $250,000 to $3 million and will be awarded to eligible applicants for projects that increase the availability of food, whether through construction of a new retail store, the purchase of equipment to improve food and meals offered, or the creation of a mobile market and more. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to the following:

√ Start-up, improvement or expansion of a retail food store.

√ Construction or upgrades of a commercial kitchen for food preparation, processing, and preservation for on-site sale or delivery.

√ Purchase of kitchen equipment for the preparation, preservation and sale of ready-made food and/or shelf-stable whole foods.

√ Construction or upgrades of retail food storage space, including cold storage expansion.

√ Purchase of equipment for on-site food storage, processing or handling.

√ Purchase of and/or expansion of retail refrigeration and market displays.

√ Creation or expansion of mobile markets.

Eligible entities to receive this funding include nonprofit organizations, public benefit corporations, local or regional development corporations, tribal governments, and local and municipal government agencies. Eligible applicants may partner with for-profit retailers.

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Since the pandemic, the department has focused in on addressing the gaps in the food supply chain and connecting the dots between New Yorkers and our farmers. I am heartened to see the progress we have made so far, with well more than half a dozen programs and initiatives launched by our governor, with support in the budget, that directly provide a boost to our farmers, reach our underserved communities, and strengthen our food system. We’re proud to build on that success with the launch of the Food Access Expansion Grant program, which will help us bring healthy, affordable foods to New York families who need it most.”

A webinar with additional information on the Food Access Expansion Grant Program will take place at noon Thursday, Sept. 26. Registration is available online. The deadline to apply for the grant is Friday, Nov. 22. Additional information can be found here.

All questions about this funding opportunity must be submitted in writing to [email protected].

Learn about the department’s programs and initiatives focused on providing new markets for farmers, increasing food access to underserved communities, and building healthier communities.