Food Equity and Economic Development in New Jersey (FEED NJ) Pilot Program is sponsored by New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). Supports food security projects in New Jersey’s Food Desert Communities.

Food Equity and Economic Development in New Jersey (FEED NJ) (CLOSED) - NJEDA Food Equity and Economic Development in New Jersey Applications for FEED NJ are now closed. All applicants have been notified about the outcome of their application.

A full list of awardees is available here Food Equity and Economic Development in New Jersey (FEED NJ) is a $30 million pilot program awarding grants between $50,000 and $500,000 for innovative projects that strengthen food access and food security in New Jersey’s most acute Food Desert Communities (FDCs).

$30 million in total funding is available Applicants may request a grant amount from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $500,000 Grant funds may cover up to 100 percent of the proposed project costs Improve New Jersey residents’ ability to access fresh, affordable, healthy food Expand operational and employment capacities for local businesses and nonprofits enabling food access and food security Projects must primarily serve residents of one or more of the 14 Primary Focus FDCs Applicants must be for-profit or nonprofit entities that have been in existence for at least two years at the time of application Entities demonstrating a track record of serving FDC residents and providing programming/services related to food access and/or food security will earn higher scores FEED NJ aims to catalyze innovative, sustainable, and scalable food security and food access initiatives with high potential to maximize community-level impact.

The program will make $30 million available for grants to projects — proposed by applicants on the frontlines of food access work — that strengthen food security in New Jersey’s most acute Food Desert Communities, while accounting for the unique context and circumstances of each FDC.

FEED NJ focuses on 14 of New Jersey’s top 15 FDCs, excluding Atlantic City/Ventnor (which was the sole focus of the Atlantic City Food Security Grants Pilot Program ). To target resources to the most acute FDCs in New Jersey, this program will only support projects that propose to primarily serve residents of one or more of the 14 Primary Focus FDCs.

These FDCs are: North, Central and South Camden/Woodlynne Bridgeton/Fairfield Twp/Lawrence Twp Because FDCs are designated at the block-group level, the boundaries of an FDC generally do not include an entire municipality. The boundaries of the 14 Primary Focus FDCs can be seen in this interactive map available on NJEDA’s website.

Applicants may also elect to serve additional NJEDA-designated FDCs , provided the primary focus remains on at least one of these 14 .

Applicants must meet the following basic eligibility criteria to proceed to further scoring and evaluation: Applicant is a for-profit or nonprofit entity that has been in existence for at least two years at the time of application Applicant is in good standing with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection Applicant is registered to do business in New Jersey and in substantial good standing with the NJ Division of Taxation, as evidenced by a current Tax Clearance Certificate For projects involving construction, applicant must provide evidence of site control or a path to site control at the time of application Applicants are limited to one application per EIN.

Municipalities and other government entities are not eligible to apply for this grant opportunity. Applicants may propose collaborating with other entities. If any other entity will incur expenses as part of the proposed project, those expenses and that entity’s role must be described in the application.

Grant funds will be awarded only to applicants that indicate that they will use the grant funds for projects to improve food access and/or food security that primarily serve residents in one or more of the 14 Primary Focus FDCs. Proposed projects may be new initiatives, an expansion of existing services, or both. Applicants can propose to complete their projects within either 12 or 24 months.

Acquisition of land or buildings, ground-up construction, fines incurred because of code or zoning violations, and major renovations (e.g. construction of an additional floor or an addition to the building footprint) are not eligible costs. All other costs that are incurred after the date of grant agreement execution are eligible, subject to the Authority’s approval of the project budget and supporting documentation.

For example, costs can include minor renovation, equipment, installation, salaries and fringe, and rent. As required by law, construction, including use of trades in construction related to installation of equipment, will be subject to state affirmative action requirements for contractors, and such work with a cost of $2,000 or more will be subject to New Jersey prevailing wage requirements.

Additionally, grantees must utilize contractors registered as a New Jersey Public Works Contractor with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development for work subject to prevailing wage. Applicants may request a grant amount from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $500,000. Grant funds may cover up to 100% of the proposed project costs.

If grant funds from EDA are not requested to cover 100% of the proposed project costs, additional funding sources (both potential and secured) must be described in the budget narrative submitted with the application.

Funds will be disbursed according to the following schedule: 30% of the grant will be disbursed upon execution of a grant agreement between NJEDA and the selected applicant; Once the applicant’s quarterly expenditure reports demonstrate that the initial disbursement has been spent on eligible costs, further expenditures on eligible costs will be reimbursed on a quarterly basis, up to a maximum of 50% of the grant amount, upon the Authority’s review and approval of the applicant’s quarterly expenditure reports; and Up to 20% of the grant amount will be disbursed upon the Authority’s review and approval of the applicant’s final progress and expenditure reports.

There are no fees to apply for this program. Food Desert Communities (FDCs) The NJEDA has created a mapping tool to assist potential applicants with locating NJEDA-designated Food Desert Communities (FDCs) that are eligible for FEED NJ. Use the mapping tool on the left to view FEED NJ’s 14 Primary Focus FDCs.

Click the checkbox marked “FEED NJ – Food Desert Communities. ” Projects must primarily serve residents of one of more of these 14 FDCs. Use the mapping tool on the right to view all 50 NJEDA-designated FDCs.

Applicants may elect to serve additional FDCs, provided the primary focus remains on at least one of the 14. Tax Clearance Certificate Click her e for instructions on how to obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate for private entities.

board memo FEED NJ Awardee List Program Specifications frequently asked questions List of Primary Focus FDCs Examples of Potential Projects Scoring Criteria Contractor Eligibility Verification Form Professional Services Eligibility Verification Form Landlord Certification Form Application supporting documents Budget Narrative Template Application Preparation Documents Application Document Checklist For more information or to ask a specific question please send an email to foodsecuritygrants@njeda.

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