Food Insecure Cost-Share Grant Program

Description

The Food Insecure Cost-Share Grant Program provides grants for projects addressing food insecurity in urban areas. Grant applications will be considered for projects that:

• Reduce food insecurity in urbanized areas by increasing food production and availability to local residents.
• Develop production infrastructure and direct distribution venues or reconstruct product facilities.
• Demonstrate growth of local economic communities.
• Enhance already established areas within a community and provide food production assistance to the community.

Projects should support farmers markets and other economic development initiatives, and they should increase food production and availability. Examples of acceptable projects include the establishment or enhancement of:

• Agricultural Learning Centers
• Community Prep/Processing Kitchens
• Community Gardens
• Farmers Markets

FY24 Grant Timeline

Applicants will be responsible for following the timeline and communicating in advance if deadlines cannot be met:

All reimbursable project expenses must be made between the award date and Jan. 31, 2024.

Grant Amount

The grant amount awarded to any person, group of individuals, business or organization addressing food insecurity is 75% of the total project expenditures, up to $50,000.

Examples:

Who is Eligible?

Applicants may be an individual, groups of individuals, businesses or organizations related to agriculture. Eligible projects must benefit Missouri residents affected by food insecurity and must reside within one of the following urban areas, as designated by the 2020 US Census:

The United States Census Bureau defines urban areas as: densely developed territories that encompass residential, commercial, and other nonresidential urban land uses. Each urban area must encompass at least 2,000 housing units or at least 5,000 people. This is a change from the previous minimum of 2,500 people which had been in place since the 1910 Census.

Urban areas are defined primarily based on housing unit density measured at the census block level. Three housing unit densities are applied during the delineation process:

• Initial urban core: at least 425 housing units per square mile. Based on the national average of 2.6 people per occupied housing unit, this density threshold is similar to the 1,000 people per square mile used in 2000 and 2010 when delineating initial urban cores
• Remainder of urban area: at least 200 housing units per square mile.
• At least one high-density nucleus of at least 1,275 housing units per square mile required for qualification. This ensures that each urban area contains a high-density nucleus typical of what one would expect to find within an urban area. This is similar to the 500 people per square mile density used for the 2000 and 2010 Censuses, based on the national average of 2.6 people per occupied housing unit.

In addition to the change in minimum thresholds for qualification and the change to use of housing unit density, the Census Bureau also no longer distinguishes between urbanized areas of 50,000 or more people and urban clusters of less than 50,000 people comprising all territory, population, and housing units located in urbanized areas and in places of 2,500 or more inhabitants outside of urban areas. The term urban refers to both kinds of geographic entities.

How does the Program Work?

Submitted projects will be awarded on a competitive basis. Each application will be evaluated and scored using the following criteria:

• Credibility and merit
• Food insecurity impact potential
• Timeliness of impact
• Community Support

Once awarded, grantees may begin making all approved project expenditures during the outlined grant period. Reimbursements will only be made for expenditures paid for between the date of award and Jan. 31, 2024. All expenses submitted must include detailed receipts with clear proof of payment.

Grantees will also be responsible for meeting ALL of the following requirements prior to reimbursement:

• Register to do business in Missouri and be in good standing with the Secretary of State, if applicable. Visit sos.mo.gov for more information.
• Complete and submit Form 943 to obtain a tax clearance certificate (valid for 90 days) from the Missouri Department of Revenue for each owner and the business. For more info, visit https://dor.mo.gov/business/sales/notaxdue/.
• Must have proof of enrollment in E-Verify by providing an MOU issued from e-verify.gov.
• Register as a vendor with the State of Missouri through the MissouriBUYS web portal and be in “Approved” status.

Eligible & Ineligible Expenses

Awarded funds are intended to be used on project supplies including the following examples:

• Garden tools (Any tools requiring fuel must be pre-approved)
• Plants, seeds, soil, fertilizer
• Greenhouse materials and installment
• Fencing materials
• Construction materials
• Electrical supplies
• Plumbing supplies
• Contracted work within grant period
• Kitchen equipment
• Food processing equipment and supplies
• Storage facilities and equipment

Awarded grant funds are NOT intended for the following:

• Paying off existing loans
• Costs incurred prior to the date or grant award
• Food purchases
• Livestock or poultry purchases
• Security system equipment and/or installation
• Operational costs such as payroll, utilities, or insurance
• Salaries/fringe benefits of those involved in the grant project
• Buying or leasing land or buildings
• Buying or leasing of machinery or equipment, unless previously approved
• Fuel purchases
• Grant writing expenses
• Costs incurred through other MDA financial opportunities

Submission

MDA must receive applications for the FY24 Food Insecure Cost-Share Grant no later than 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2023. Applications should be submitted to:

Missouri Department of Agriculture
ABD – Food Insecure Grant
P.O. Box 630
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Email: Grants@mda.mo.gov

For additional information or questions, email Grants@mda.mo.gov or call (573) 751-7794.

Food Insecure Grant FAQs

Food Insecure Grant Guidelines