The Office of Farm to Fork is committed to lessening the impact of food insecurity through grant programs, increasing access points, connecting stakeholders, and expanding availability of resources.

The Budget Act of 2018 created the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, first introduced by Assembly Member Phil Ting and co-sponsored by Assembly Member Rob Bonta, and now established in California Food and Agricultural Code section 49015. The Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program improves access to California-grown produce in the small retail environment for underserved communities. The program funds energy efficient refrigeration units in corner stores and small businesses located in food deserts throughout the state, supplying a key infrastructure need for businesses that want to offer their customers healthier choices.

In 2015 Assembly Bill 1321 established the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) to encourage the purchase and consumption of healthy, California-grown fresh fruits and vegetables by nutrition benefit clients. The program provides monetary incentives for the purchase of California grown fruits and vegetables at Certified Farmers’ Markets and small businesses.

The Urban Agriculture Grant Program was a one-time only, competitive grant that funded programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the state of California.

The Community Food Hubs Grant Program will pilot investments in food aggregation and distribution infrastructure needed to increase purchasing of local, environmentally sustainable, climate smart, and equitably produced food by schools and other institutions, build a better food system economy, support the local farming economy, accelerate climate adaptation and resilience, and employ food system workers with fair wages and working conditions.