Applications for food security grant program open Sept. 27

Matthew Fazelpoor//September 26, 2022//

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On Monday, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced it will open applications for its Food Security Grant Program Sept. 27.

The $1.5 million program offers grants ranging from $75,000 to $125,000 to municipal governments, county governments and redevelopment agencies to develop plans to improve food access and food security by leveraging assets in New Jersey’s Food Desert Communities (FDCs).

The NJEDA says the program is a tool to empower local governments to develop and submit plans to improve food access while transforming distressed assets.

What it means

The organization defines distressed assets as a commercial building or series of buildings, its attachments, or vacant land that is fully or partially vacant for at least one year, which is due to deteriorated condition or appearance of its exterior, that can be leveraged to improve food access and food security.

The distressed assets must be located within a New Jersey FDC.

NJEDA will host information sessions Oct. 3, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and Oct. 13, from 11 a.m. to noon.

The application deadline is Nov. 25.

Full information on the grant program and the application can be found here.