Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program – Massachusetts - fundsforNGOs

The Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program seeks to strengthen the Commonwealth of Massachusetts food system and build resilience within the food supply chain.

Donor Name: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

State: Massachusetts

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 05/05/2025

Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million

Grant Duration: 1 Year

Details:

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, through its Food Security Infrastructure Grant program, seeks proposals that ensure local food producers are better connected to processors, distributors, and markets, and that they have the infrastructure needed to successfully strengthen the Commonwealth’s food system, with the ultimate goal of enhancing equitable access to locally produced food for individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth.

The purpose of the Program is to support food security initiatives that provide greater, more equitable access to locally grown, raised, harvested and caught foods, by strengthening the Commonwealth’s food supply chain. Local food is defined through this Program as edible food products grown, raised, harvested or wild caught produced and consumed within the Commonwealth, with consideration to those sourcing food produced in nearby states.

The local food system is a network of consumers, workers, businesses, and supporting organizations engaged in an array of activities, including fishing, farming, processing, packaging, manufacturing/distributing, retail/foodservice and food assistance or donation. This local and regional food system contributes to long-term food security and supply chain resilience by producing food that nourishes the communities, sustains businesses and workers, and supports responsible stewardship of the land, water, and other natural resources.

The program also aims to:

Expand resilience and supply chain connections in the middle-of-the-supply chain to aggregate, process, manufacture, store, distribute or wholesale local foods for the Commonwealth’s residents;
Increase the production and consumption of local foods through value-added products available to consumers;
Expand and protect the physical infrastructure that keep locally raised foods fresh, safe and accessible, particularly during supply chain disruptions.

Funding Information

Each applicant must submit a proposal and budget requesting not less than $10,000 and not more than $1,000,000. Funding requests less than $10,000 and over $1,000,000 will not be considered.

Grant Period

July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects must be capital improvements including the purchase of equipment and, if necessary, contracted labor costs to implement projects, or costs associated with planning and design directly related to capital projects.

Expansion of Agriculture& Seafood Production.
- Develop or enhance infrastructure on farms, community gardens or commercial fishing boats to increase the availability of a safer, resilient and sustainable food supply.
Local & Regional Midsupply Chain Expansion
- Develop or strengthen middle-of the supply chain capacity to increase availability of more and diverse local foods.
Food Access & Availability
- Develop or enhance programs that increase the consumption of local food. This includes emergency food assistance providers, food delivery services, and organizations providing food service such as early childhood centers, schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities.
Emergency Preparedness & Resilience (for municipalities and Tribal entities only)
- Strengthen critical food supply chain infrastructure that contribute to long-term food security by addressing food supply chain risks including but not limited to biological, environmental, weather-related and economic risks.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants must contribute to the Commonwealth’s food system and food supply chain and benefit residents of the Commonwealth. Applicants must be an eligible entity and eligible applicant type (defined in below), have been in operation for a minimum of three years, must be located in the Commonwealth, and have the ability to enter a legally binding agreement with the Commonwealth.