State of New York
Click this image to see the final RFP that was released by the State of New York
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
Request for Proposals
RFP #0332 • Statewide Financial System # AGM01-FAE-0332-2024
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets • Food Access Expansion Grant Program
$250,000 - $3,000,000 • Competitive Opportunity
Below are a few sections of the RFP that really made us feel like we would have a good chance, if we put together an excellent proposal
3. GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
A. Program Description
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.
B. Funding Available
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 total project cost. 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. “See Match Calculator excel resource, which will be posted on the SFS Vendor Portal.”
C. Number of Applications
Applicants may apply for only one grant per funding period either individually or as part of a group, per funding cycle.
5. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
A. Project Scope
The objective of the Food Access Expansion Grant is to increase the availability of healthy, local food in food insecure areas and build long-term food system resiliency within New York State’s retail markets that benefit New York State consumers and producers. Projects should focus on promoting equitable food access in underserved areas and sourcing from New York State producers. Applicants are encouraged to partner with other entities including for-profit-organizations.
B. Eligible Projects
Projects eligible for funding are capital infrastructure projects that create or expand retail opportunities for selling food products.
Examples of Eligible Projects include, but are not limited to:
Start-up, improvement, or expansion of a retail food store
Construction or upgrades of a commercial kitchen for food preparation, processing, and preservation for on-site sale or delivery.
Purchase of kitchen equipment for the preparation, preservation, and sale of ready-made food and/or shelf-stable whole foods.
Construction or upgrades of retail food storage space including cold storage expansion.
Purchase of equipment for on-site food storage, processing, or handling.
Purchase of and/or expansion of retail refrigeration and market displays.
Creation or expansion of mobile markets as defined in Section 4 part F.
For projects which include any construction work, the application should provide all relevant conceptual, preliminary, draft, or final designs, permits/approvals and other construction documents with the application.
C. Ineligible Project Activities
Projects should not include activities that do not meet the purpose and objectives of the grant program including, but not limited to:
Free food distribution
Projects at temporary farmers’ markets
Creation of digital resources
Expanding community gardens
Production of food
Supply chain infrastructure unrelated to a retail establishment
Distribution efforts
Food purchase and transportation
Mobile classrooms and educational activities
Providing technical assistance
Developing school kitchens
D. Eligible Applicants
Nonprofit organizations
Public benefit corporations
Local or regional development corporations
Local and municipal government agencies
Economic development organizations
Tribal governments
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must be registered and pre-qualified in the Statewide Financial System Grants Management System, and the organizations’ document vault must be up to date. Applicants who are not registered or whose document vaults have expired will be disqualified. See Section 6 D below for instructions on registering, qualifying and maintaining pre-qualification. Public schools, government entities and Tribal governments are exempt from pre-qualification. Registration and pre- qualification may take several weeks to complete, it is recommended to start the process as soon as possible.
E. Ineligible Applicants:
Private individuals
For-profit organizations
