The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has launched the Farm to Community Food Hubs Program, providing up to $13.75 million in competitive grants to support the development and expansion of community food hubs across California. This initiative aims to strengthen local and Indigenous food economies by improving food distribution systems and increasing institutional purchasing of local, sustainable, and equitably produced food. Up to ten percent of the total funding is specifically allocated for California Native American Tribes and Tribal-led nonprofit organizations.
The program is designed to pilot investments in two key areas: planning activities and the infrastructure and operational costs necessary for food aggregation and distribution. These investments are intended to build a more resilient and climate-smart food system that supports local farmers, Indigenous food producers, and food system workers through fair employment practices. The grant aligns with the goals of supporting climate adaptation and enhancing the sustainability of food distribution systems.
The program is structured into two funding tracks. Track 1 focuses on planning, with award amounts ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 and grant terms of up to 24 months. Track 2 supports infrastructure and operations, with funding ranging from $350,000 to $2 million and a grant term of up to 60 months. Applicants must email completed application materials by 5:00 p.m. PDT on Monday, April 14, 2025, to cafoodhubs@cdfa.ca.gov. Required documents for submission differ depending on the track being pursued and are outlined in the Application Submission Checklist.
To assist potential applicants, CDFA has hosted an information session and several virtual office hours, and it provides opportunities for applicants to request feedback on draft applications. Key dates in the application timeline include the application open period beginning in December 2024, a virtual information session held on February 19, 2025, and multiple office hours sessions from February through April 2025. Applications will be reviewed from April through May 2025, with award notifications expected in June 2025. Grant agreements will be finalized between June and September/October 2025, and projects can commence in Fall 2025.
Evaluation criteria and further application details are outlined in the Request for Application document, and unsuccessful applicants may request feedback or submit appeals within 10 days of notification. For questions, applicants may contact CDFA staff by emailing cafoodhubs@cdfa.ca.gov.
