Food insecure cost-share grant funds available

JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced the availability of Food Insecure Cost-Share Grant funds of up to $50,000 per project. Qualifying projects for the grant funds must benefit residents affected by food insecurity in areas which have been designated as an urbanized area by the United States Census Bureau. Applications are due by Aug. 31, 2024 and awarded projects must be complete or near completion by March 31, 2025.

The Food Insecure Cost-Share Grant will fund projects that support farmers markets and other economic development initiatives that work to reduce food insecurity in urban areas. Applicants will only be reimbursed for 75% of the total project expenses made during the grant period.

This is a competitive grant program and funds may be used to increase food production and availability within an urban area; demonstrate growth of local economic communities; increase local economic impact; increase availability of food to local residents; or enhance already established areas within a community and provide assistance to the community.

Projects must reside in areas which have been designated as an urbanized area by the 2020 United States Census Bureau. If you have questions about your location qualifying, please reach out to Whitney.Williams@mda.mo.gov, or call (573)-751-7794.

The application, grant guidelines and grant requirements can be found online here.

To learn more about the Missouri Department of Agriculture and other financial assistance, please visit Agriculture.Mo.Gov.