Grant Programs

CNIP Food Hubs Farm to School Healthy Refrigeration Urban Ag

Farm to Community Food Hubs Grant

Grant applications for the Farm to Community Food Hubs Program were due 5 p.m. PDT on Monday, April 14, 2025. CDFA expects to update applicants and the public about awards in Summer 2025.

Program Overview

CDFA's Farm to Community Food Hubs Program has up to $13.75 million available to award in competitive grants for organizations developing and expanding community food hubs in California. Up to ten percent of the funding will be set aside for California Native American Tribes and Tribal-led nonprofit organizations.

This new grant program was established to pilot investments in (1) planning activities and (2) food aggregation and distribution infrastructure and operational costs needed for community food hubs to increase purchasing of local, environmentally sustainable, climate smart, and equitably produced food by schools and other institutions. These investments aim to build a better food system economy, support the local farming and indigenous food production economies, accelerate climate adaptation and resilience, and employ food system workers with fair wages and working conditions. You can read the state statute that authorizes this program.

Estimated Grant Timeline & Process

Please note these dates are estimates and could change

Summer 2024 CDFA developed the draft Request for application (RFA)
November 12 – December 6, 2024 CDFA received public comments about the draft RFA from November 12 – December 6 and hosted three virtual public feedback sessions on November 18, November 21, and December 6, 2024.
December 2024- January 2025 CDFA reviewed public comments and updated the RFA before opening the application period
February – April 2025 CDFA hosted six public webinars to share more about the grant opportunity and respond to questions
Monday, April 14, 2025 by 5 pm PDT Application Deadline
April – Summer 2025 CDFA staff and technical reviewers review and score applications. CDFA may contact applicants for additional information, if needed.
Summer 2025 CDFA notifies applicants whether they are selected for awards. CDFA publishes selected grant recipients.
Applicants who are not selected for an award have 10 calendar days to request feedback from CDFA and/or submit an appeal. For details on how to request feedback or submit an appeal, see Section 2.4 in the Request for Application.
Summer – Fall 2025 CDFA works with selected grant recipients to develop and sign grant agreements (this process can last up to 90 days).
Fall 2025 Grant recipients participate in CDFA’s grant onboarding . Grant recipients can start their projects.
Grant Program Application Materials (NOW CLOSED)
Program Priorities
Other Resources
Summary of 2024 Public Comment Period
Farm to Community Food Hubs Working Group
Where can I learn more about food hubs?
Additional Funding Opportunities & Programs
Box of vegetables

Program Status

CLOSED.
Applications were due Monday, April 14, 2025

Questions

Email us at cafoodhubs@cdfa.ca.gov

Volunteer to help review applications

Submit an interest form. CDFA invites people with expertise relevant to food hub development and operations, farm-to-institutional sales, and other food systems experience to submit an interest form to volunteer as a technical reviewer for the Farm to Community Food Hubs grant program. Lead applicants and project team members who apply to the Farm to Community Food Hubs Grant Program cannot volunteer as technical reviewers.

Sign Up for Updates

To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your contact information below.