The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has opened a grant program to support the establishment and expansion of food hubs in Hawai‘i.
Donor Name: Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA)
State: Hawaii
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/03/2023
Size of the Grant: $250,000
Grant Duration: 36 months
Details:
This HDOA grant program is specifically for food hubs that are focused on food that is grown, raised or sourced within the State of Hawai‘i. According to a Hawai‘i Food Hub Hui report, there were 14 food hubs in Hawai‘i in 2021 which employed about 200 employees and serviced 1,337 food producers with total sales of $14 million. Most food hubs provide emergency food distribution and many support child and elderly nutrition program.
These awards are to be utilized by the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture to support the establishment and growth of food hubs on a scale that meets demand by state institutions such as schools, hospitals and correctional facilities.
Funding Information
For this solicitation, multiple awards will be made for projects that meet the terms of Act 313/SLH 2022 with budgets of a minimum $50,000 and a maximum of $250,000. Greater award amounts will be considered for proposals of extraordinary statewide benefit and with outcomes and measurable indicators that have statewide impact. Projects should be completed within 36 months and before March 31, 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
HDOA is seeking proposals from eligible corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, sole proprietorships, non-profit organizations, and agricultural cooperatives (§4-61-5). Applicant must agree that if selected for an award, it will maintain its principal place of business and conduct a majority portion of its operations in the State.
Applicant must:
- Either be incorporated under the laws of the State, or be registered to do business in the State, if applicable;
- Have bylaws or policies that describe the manner in which the activities or services for which the grant is awarded shall be conducted or provided;
- Be licensed or accredited, in accordance with federal, state, or county statutes, rules, or ordinances, to conduct the activities or provide the services for which the grant is awarded;
- If seeking to establish a new food hub where none currently exist, shall first secure a physical location for the food hub and draft a detailed plan for the food hub’s operation, including activities in which the applicant intends to engage, such as serving as a marketplace for buying and selling, or providing certified kitchen space in which multiple farmers may share use of facilities for value-added product development;
- Explain the applicant’s intended actions to increase access to locally produced food;
- Comply with all applicable federal, state, and county laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances, including the USFDA Food Safety Modernization Act, P.L. 111-353, and the Act’s provisions on supplier verification, and any applicable tax laws (may include a completed and signed W-2 tax information form);
- Comply with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability; and
- Allow the division, department and, if applicable, the state auditor or a department auditor, full access to its facilities, records, reports, files, and other related documents and information for purposes of monitoring, measuring the effectiveness, and ensuring the proper expenditures of the grant.
For more information, visit HDOA.
