Food Access Infrastructure Initiative Grants

Food Access Infrastructure Initiative Grants is sponsored by Farm Credit East. Provides grants to organizations improving food security in the Northeast through infrastructure projects like expanding storage or processing capabilities.

Food Access Infrastructure Initiative Grant | Farm Credit East Food Access Infrastructure Initiative Grant Farm Credit East's Food Access Infrastructure Initiative financially supports organizations with grants of up to $50,000 as they work to improve food security in the Northeast. (video player) will replace this tag. --> Congratulations to the 2025 Recipients!

The Urban Agriculture Cooperative, Newark, New Jersey Urban Agriculture Cooperative is a food hub working to connect urban growers and underserved consumers by providing access to local, fresh produce. The funds will go toward improving Urban Agriculture Cooperative’s cold storage capacity.

The Burlington Food Pantry, Burlington, Maine The Burlington Food Pantry works to combat food insecurity in rural communities, many of which are considered food deserts with limited access to nutritious foods. The food pantry will use these funds to invest in a walk-in freezer.

Farm Credit East's Food Access Infrastructure Initiative financially supports organizations with grants of up to $50,000 as they work to improve food security in the Northeast. If your organization, or one you know, has an upcoming infrastructure project to further food access, apply for a Food Access Infrastructure Initiative grant.

Farm Credit East's Food Access Infrastructure Initiative financially supports organizations such as food banks, food hubs and other non-profit food distribution and infrastructure organizations/facilities as they work to improve food security in the Northeast. The recipient must be a non-profit organization. The goals of eligible projects could include but are not limited to: Increase produce handling functionality.

Expand cooler or freezer storage. Improve inbound or outbound logistics. Enhance distribution capability.

The grant funds must be used for capital projects to improve infrastructure improvements like those described above. This includes real estate improvements. This doesn't include vehicles, food production or processing equipment.

Grants should not be used for general operating funds. Nominees should be based in Farm Credit East’s territory, although nominees from outside the territory may be eligible if the initiative for which they are being nominated is positively impacting the rural areas of Farm Credit East’s territory (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont).

Self-nominations are permitted. Funds will be provided directly to the recipient. Awards will be made at the sole discretion of the selection committee.

Disclosure Requirement for Farm Credit Directors and Employees Any Director or employee of Farm Credit East or CoBank shall clearly indicate their affiliation with Farm Credit in their supporting materials. Failure to disclose this information shall cause the project to be ineligible for consideration. The deadline for 2026 award applications has passed.

Have Additional Questions? Email: Stewardship@FarmCreditEast. com