Farm to Community Food Hubs Grant

CDFA Office of Farm to Fork
CDFA awarded $13.75 million to 12 projects to develop and expand community food hubs in California. $1,108,688.50 is awarded to five Track 1 Planning projects. $12,641,311.50 is awarded to seven Track 2 Infrastructure and Operations projects. View the summary of awarded projects.

Awarded Projects

2025 Application Period

CDFA received 165 applications, collectively requesting $148,332,630 –almost 11 times more than the funding CDFA had available. Eighty-six (52%) applications were submitted for the Track 1 Planning funding track and seventy-nine (48%) applications were submitted for the Track 2 Infrastructure and Operations funding track. View the summary of the application period.

Program Overview

CDFA's Farm to Community Food Hubs Program received one-time funding of$13.75 million to award as competitive grants for organizations developing and expanding community food hubs in California. Up to ten percent of the funding was 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.

Program Status

Projects Awarded — view the award summaries
The program currently does not have funding for another round.

Questions?

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Estimated Grant Timeline & Process

Please note these dates are estimates and could change

Resources for Food Hubs
  • CA Food Hub Network- UC SAREP: Food hubs can request to join the California Food Hub Network, hosted and coordinated by UC Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP). The California Food Hub Network is a learning network to coordinate technical assistance, collaborative learning and information sharing for and among food hubs in California. Activities include in-person convenings, networking events between food hubs and potential buyers, food hub tours, and technical assistance on a diverse range of topics related to food hub operations. Contact Alicia Baddorf.
  • Local Food in Cafeterias map (CDFA): use this interactive map to find public school districts purchasing local food and food hubs serving public schools
  • Guide to Energy Efficient and Climate Smart Refrigerated Equipment (CDFA)
  • Vendor and Contract Directory for Food Hubs (CDFA) If your organization is looking for a contractor/consultant to support planning or building a food hub - or looking for equipment/supply vendors - this is a good list for you.
  • California's Small Business Support Network: get connected to local business advisors across California’s small business centers, receive 1:1 advising, join free or low-cost trainings, and more.
  • Publications, studies, and toolkits on UC SAREP’s website

Permits, Licenses, and Certifications

This does not represent an exhaustive list of permits, licenses, or certifications that your food hub may need to operate.

CA Trucking and Forklift Regulations (CA Air Resources Board - CARB)

  • Zero-Emission Truck Transport Refrigeration Unit Requirements
    • Requirements for zero-emission truck transport refrigeration units (TRUs) go into effect as early as December 2023.
    • Find out if the regulations apply to your fleet at CARB’s website.
    • Contact: arber@arb.ca.gov / (888) 878-2826
    • Visit CalFleet Advisor: receive free assistance to figure out how to get ZEVs in your fleet
  • Zero-Emission Forklift Regulations
    • New requirements for certain types of forklifts go into effect 2026
    • Find out if the regulations apply to your operation at CARB’s website
    • Contact: zeforklifts@arb.ca.gov . (877) 593-6677 / (877) 59DOORS
Additional Funding Opportunities & Programs

Opportunities with CDFA

California Grants Portal: find all upcoming grants offered through state agencies, including CDFA

Farm to School Incubator Grant Program: The California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program offers competitive grants to support farm to school projects that cultivate equity, nurture students, build climate resilience, and create scalable and sustainable change.

Mobile Farmers’ Market Grant Program

Urban Agriculture Grant Program

Opportunities with Other Programs

California's Farms Together Program: Through Farms Together, food hubs and aggregation partners work directly with producers to bring finished farm boxes and bulk food pallets to food banks and other community sites for distribution.

USDA Local Agriculture Market Program: The Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) includes federal funding opportunities that support the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing; local and regional food markets and enterprises; and value-added agricultural products.

America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (Reinvestment Fund): America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative offers resources including grants, loans, technical assistance services, programming, and other forms of support to eligible projects that will improve access to fresh, healthy foods in underserved rural and urban areas.
Where can I learn more about food hubs?
  • The UC Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP) publications, videos, and technical resources about food hubs and values-based supply chains on the UC SAREP website.
  • Michigan State University and the Wallace Center at Winrock International conducts national food hub surveys. View results on their website.
Grant Program Application Materials (NOW CLOSED)

Track 1 Planning Application Materials

Track 2 Infrastructure and Operations Application Materials

Support for Applicants
Summary of 2024 Public Comment Period

CDFA received public comments about the draft Request for Application from November 12 – December 6, 2024 and hosted three virtual public feedback sessions about the draft Request for Application.
Farm to Community Food Hubs Working Group

CDFA established a Farm to Community Food Hubs Working Group according to state statute to guide CDFA on developing the Farm to Community Food Hubs Program. The Working Group is part of CDFA's ongoing efforts to support community food hubs across California and one piece to how CDFA gathers feedback about the program. CDFA encourages and actively invites California food hubs, organization partners, and the general public to help shape the Farm to Community Food Hubs Grant Program through public comment, community outreach, and collaborating with community partners. CDFA thanks the Working Group members for sharing their time and expertise:

  • Alicia Baddorf and Gwenael Engelskirchen (alternate), UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP)
  • Andy Ollove, Fresh Approach
  • Anna Nakamura Knight, Old Grove Orange
  • Christina Lawson, Western Placer Unified School District
  • Hector Reider, Community Alliance with Family Farmers
  • Keng Vang, Fresno BIPOC Produce
  • Maria Houlne, California Association of Food Banks
  • Megan Kenney, Harvest Hub (North Coast Growers Association)
  • Mireya Gomez-Contreras, Esperanza Community Farms
  • Paula Aubrey and Louisa McCovey, The Yurok Tribe Environmental Department
  • Shayne Zurilgen, Spork Food Hub/Fiery Ginger Farm
 

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