Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance

Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance is sponsored by Various (often state agencies or large food banks as sub-awardees). This initiative provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals through subawards to food banks and nonprofit organizations. Funding often supports investments in cold storage equipment to improve the management and distribution of food resources.

Applications are now open for eligible entities that demonstrate the capacity to implement and manage a subaward program. Interested applicants should register to attend the CCG webinar on the AMS Grant Webinars page for additional information and program details. *Information for future subaward applicants that may seek funding for cold storage purchases will be provided at a later date.

The NEW 2026 Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance (CCG) application period is now open. Applications are due October 1, 2026. Applications received after the due date will be subject to the AMS Policies and Procedures.

For any questions related to CCG, contact AMS. CCG@usda. gov. * Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance NOFO (pdf) *The NOFO is a primary resource for information about the Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance (CCG) Program.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review it carefully and follow its guidance.

AMS will competitively award funds to one or more recipients to offer subawards for cold storage and distribution equipment to food banks, food pantries, and other emergency food assistance operations to improve their ability to provide high quality meats, eggs, seafood, dairy, and fresh and minimally processed fruits and vegetables to vulnerable Americans. Approximately $7. 5 million is available.

CCG will competitively fund at least one eligible Nonprofit Corporation. Specifically, this includes any organization or institution, including nonprofits with State or Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) status where no part of the organization’s or institution’s net earnings inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. This may include charitable organizations or private foundations.

Eligible applicants must be able to demonstrate capacity to implement and manage a competitive subaward program funding others to conduct projects that meet the goals of the program. This includes competitive application solicitation, application review, award, oversight, and reporting.

All eligible applicants must be located within the 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Eligible applicants are not required to provide a cost share at the prime recipient level. A 10 percent cash cost share is required at the subaward level as described in the NOFO.

**Additional Information** * AMS will host a webinar for applicants. To register, visit our AMS Grant Webinars page. * Coming Soon: CCG FAQ (pdf) * CCG Program Specific Terms and Conditions (pdf)