Food Access Expansion Grant Program

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is pleased to announce the availability of funds for the Food Access Expansion Competitive Grant Program. APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED via the Statewide Financial System (SFS) Vendor Portal to be considered for funding.

The Food Access Expansion Program will provide capital infrastructure funding for projects that create and/or expand retail food stores, reduce food insecurity, increase market opportunities for New York State producers, and strengthen the resiliency of our state’s food system.

The objective of this grant program is to support the establishment and expansion of supermarkets, food cooperatives, permanent farm markets, and other similar retail food stores in underserved areas and regions of the state. Grant funds are available for the costs of capital infrastructure projects, including services and expenses for the cost of construction, renovation, alteration, rehabilitation, improvements, installation, acquisition, repair or replacement of buildings, equipment, or facilities for the development and expansion of retail food stores.

A total of $10,000,000 is available on a competitive basis through this Food Access Expansion program request for proposals. The award contract term will not exceed five years.

Applicants may apply for a minimum of $250,000 to a maximum of $3,000,000 through this funding opportunity.

There is a match component of 10 percent that applicants will need to provide based on the amount of the request. State assistance awarded and paid shall not exceed 90% of the total eligible project costs.

Total project cost may exceed $3,000,000 with matching funds included.

Projects eligible for funding are capital infrastructure projects that create or expand retail opportunities for selling food products.