Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). CFP grants are intended to help eligible nonprofits, tribal organizations, and food program service providers in need of federal assistance for projects that promote self-sufficiency and food security in low-income communities.

Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) | NIFA The lifecycle of grants and cooperative agreements consists of four phases: Pre-Award, Award, Post-Award, and Close Out. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is committed to serving its stakeholders, Congress, and the public by using new technologies to advance greater openness.

The Data Gateway enables users to find funding data, metrics, and information about research, education, and Extension projects that have received grant awards from NIFA. This website houses a large volume of supporting materials. In this section, you can search the wide range of documents, videos, and other resources.

Veterinary Services Grant Program Technical Assistance Webinar NIFA staff will hold a Technical Assistance Webinar to discuss the Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) Notice of Funding Opportunity. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides leadership and funding for programs that advance agriculture-related sciences.

Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) The CFPCGP is intended to bring together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system and to foster understanding of national food security trends and how they might improve local food systems.

Understanding that people with low incomes experience disproportionate access to healthy foods, projects should address food and nutrition security, particularly among our nation’s historically ignored communities.

CFPCGP projects are to include food insecure community members in the planning, designing, development, implementation and evaluation of activities, services, programs, and policies to combat food and nutrition insecurity; and to address underlying causes and factors related to hunger.

The CFPCGP projects are to be designed to require a one-time contribution of Federal assistance to become self-sustaining and meet short- and long-term goals. Applicants are required to address two or more of the CFPCGP goals that best fit the plan or project being proposed to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable approach to resolving food and nutrition security and hunger.

Meet the food needs of food-insecure individuals through food distribution. Develop community outreach to assist in participation in Federal nutrition assistance programs. Improve access to nutrient dense food as part of a comprehensive service.

Develop long-term sustainable projects that increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for the food needs of the community. Develop long-term projects that promote comprehensive responses to local food, food access, farm, and nutrition issues.

Meet specific State, local, Tribal, Territory, or neighborhood food and agricultural long term needs including needs for equipment necessary for the efficient operation of a CFPCGP project. Develop a comprehensive plan for long-term solutions to food and nutrition security. Develop long term projects that lead to the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and income-eligible consumers.

Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program This notice identifies the objectives for Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (CFPCGP) projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions. In FY 2024 NIFA’s CFPCGP intends to solicit applications...

Applicants for the CFPCGP must meet all the eligibility requirements stated in this NOFO and provide qualifying documentation to support their eligibility for this program at the time of application. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible to apply for this program.

For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

To be eligible for a grant under 7 USC 2034 , CFPCGP, a public food program service provider, a tribal organization, or a private nonprofit entity, including gleaners, must have experience in the area of[1] community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-sized farms, including the provision of food to people in communities with low incomes and the development of new markets in communities with low incomes for agricultural producers; job training and business development activities for food-related activities in communities with low incomes; or efforts to reduce food and nutrition insecurity in the community, including food distribution, improving access to services, or coordinating services and programs; demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal accountability, collect data, and prepare reports and other necessary documentation; demonstrate a willingness to share information with researchers, practitioners, and other interested parties; and collaborate with one or more local partner organizations using one or more action steps proposed by Congress to achieve a “hunger-free communities' goal .

Definition of Private Non-Profit: “Private Nonprofit entities” are defined as any nongovernmental corporation, trust, association, cooperative or other organization which: Is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest. Is not organized primarily for profit; and Uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve, and/or expand its operations.

Acceptable Evidence: The following documents can be used as proof of Private Non-Profit eligibility. A copy of a currently valid Internal Revenue Service tax exemption certificate. A statement from a state taxing body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate state official certifying that the applicant organization has a non- profit status.

A certified copy of the organization’s certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes private non-profit status. Any of the above proof for a state or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-profit affiliate.

Training &Technical Assistance Planning Projects purpose is to complete plans toward the improvement of community food security in keeping with the primary goals of the CFPCGP. Award minimum is $25,000 up to $50,000, over 12-36 months, with 1:1 matching required. Community Food Projects purpose is to support the development of projects with a ONE-TIME infusion of federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining.

Award minimum is $125,000 in any single year, and maximum of $400,000 over four years, with 1:1 matching requirement. Evaluation required. CFPCGP Training & Technical Assistance Provider ISED Solutions serves as the training and technical assistance provider for the CFP program.

They support applicants and grantees with information about upcoming opportunities, one on one support, and other resources. Acknowledgment of USDA Support by NIFA Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) The Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), is a secure, web-based electronic payment and information system.

The Research, Extension, and Education Project Online Reporting Tool (REEport) is NIFA’s primary grant reporting application for non-capacity projects, which includes all competitive grant programs. NIFA-5-3a-NIFA Research Terms and Conditions 10/01/2024 *Disclaimer: The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way.

This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. Frequently Asked Questions: Grant Management This document addresses frequently-asked questions regarding payments, enrollment, and financial reporting. CFPCGP FY2025 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | NIFA (usda.

gov) Become a reviewer for NIFA Competitive Grants Flowchart NIFA-22-001 NIFA Grants Application Guide For questions, please send them to our program mailbox . Competitive Grant Programs Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program Food and Nutrition Security Nutrition and Food Systems Page last updated: April 13, 2026 Your feedback is important to us.