The 2025 SNAP-Ed Community Growers Grant Program provides up to $1,000,000 in total funding, with individual awards between $20,000 and $50,000, to support garden-based nutrition education and food production for SNAP-eligible communities in New York State. This program, administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, aims to foster community-led growing spaces to supply fresh, affordable produce and improve dietary health.
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, Indian tribal organizations, and local governments. Projects must be located in New York and serve SNAP-eligible areas, defined as locations where at least 50% of the population qualifies for SNAP or "priority sites" like low-income schools and community health centers. Funded projects should offer direct nutrition education, including USDA-approved materials, and may feature cooking demonstrations or recipe distributions. Applicants are responsible for reporting educational outcomes through the Program Evaluation and Reporting System (PEARS).
Eligible costs include staff salaries for teaching food gardening, purchasing seeds, gardening tools, educational supplies, and administrative costs up to 15% of the project budget. However, grant funds cannot be used for land purchases, food purchases, indirect costs, or large equipment rentals (e.g., tractors). Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on December 6, 2024, and must be submitted online through the Statewide Financial System (SFS).
