The 2023 SNAP-Ed Community Growers Grant Program offers funding through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. It aims to support garden-based nutrition education and food production in communities with high Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility. This program seeks to foster community-led gardens, which provide fresh and affordable food, along with nutrition education to low-income populations. The funding is drawn from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through New York’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).

The grant provides between $20,000 and $50,000 for eligible projects, with a total funding pool of $1,000,000. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations and local governments that work within SNAP-eligible communities. Applicants must ensure that their projects directly serve communities where at least 50% of the population is SNAP-eligible. Exceptions can be made for areas that fall below this threshold if the applicant can demonstrate how their project will serve low-income individuals. Priority locations include senior centers, low-income schools, and health centers that primarily serve SNAP-eligible individuals.

To be eligible, projects must involve both the production of food and nutrition education. This education must be evidence-based and aimed at encouraging behavioral changes through USDA-approved materials and methods. Examples of eligible project activities include conducting healthy cooking demonstrations, distributing recipes, or running social media campaigns that promote nutrition. However, certain expenses are ineligible, including the purchase of large garden equipment, land, and non-edible plants.

Applications must be submitted through the New York State Grants Gateway by December 15, 2023, and applicants must be registered and prequalified in the system before submission. The grant period runs from February 1, 2024, to September 15, 2024, and quarterly progress reports will be required. Awardees will receive funds on a reimbursement basis, though an initial payment of up to 25% of the total grant may be requested.

Entities interested in applying should ensure they address specific program questions about the project’s target population, location, and direct education plans in their application. Applications will also need to include a detailed work plan and budget narrative. The program prioritizes projects that support long-term community engagement and sustain gardening activities beyond the grant period.