The Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (CFPCGP), funded by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is designed to support initiatives that address food and nutrition security within local communities. The program offers funding for two main types of projects: Planning Projects (PP) and Community Food Projects (CFP). CFPCGP funding is meant as a one-time federal investment to help projects achieve long-term sustainability and self-reliance, rather than providing ongoing assistance.

For Planning Projects, grants are capped at $50,000 and span a period of 12 to 36 months. These projects are intended to provide early-stage funding for developing community food security initiatives, including comprehensive planning that can lead to successful community food projects. Eligible projects must focus on a clearly defined community and outline specific activities and goals to address food insecurity and related needs. Planning projects require a dollar-for-dollar match in funding from non-federal sources.

For Community Food Projects, grant amounts range from a minimum of $125,000 per year to a maximum of $400,000 over four years. These projects aim to implement long-term solutions to community food challenges that go beyond short-term relief, supporting efforts across all levels of the food system from production to consumer access. Projects must be designed to become self-sustaining or supported by other funding sources once the grant period ends. Similar to planning projects, CFPs require a 1:1 match in non-federal funds and must align with CFPCGP’s primary goals.

Eligible applicants include public food program service providers, tribal organizations, or private nonprofit entities experienced in areas like community food work, job training for food-related activities, and efforts to reduce food and nutrition insecurity. Applicants must demonstrate competence in managing the project and working with community partners, and they are encouraged to collaborate with local organizations to enhance the project's impact and reach. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible to apply for CFPCGP funding.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by the deadlines set for each fiscal year, which are November 7, 2024, for FY 2025, and October 30, 2025, for FY 2026. Required application documents include a project summary, a detailed narrative, a data management plan, budget documentation, and letters of commitment from project partners. Proposals must also adhere to specific formatting guidelines, including a 15-page limit on the project narrative and submission in PDF format.

The application review process includes an initial administrative check to ensure compliance with submission requirements, followed by a peer review panel that evaluates the proposal based on criteria such as alignment with program goals, community impact, project sustainability, and the applicant’s capacity to deliver on project objectives. NIFA prioritizes applications that demonstrate a comprehensive approach to food security and integrate innovative solutions, such as partnerships between nonprofit and for-profit food sectors, strategies to reduce food waste, and the inclusion of historically underserved communities in planning and execution.

Awards are announced around May each year, with projects expected to begin by September 1. Successful applicants are required to attend annual project director meetings and provide regular reports on project progress, including cooperation with NIFA’s technical assistance provider for data and performance tracking throughout the grant period.