City of St. Petersburg Community Food Grant Program

The City of St. Petersburg's Community Food Grant Program aims to enhance health equity for all residents by supporting local non-profit agencies. This program aligns directly with the City's broader mission to foster a healthier and more equitable community by addressing food access and related social determinants of health. It provides a mechanism for local non-profits to implement projects that are in line with the Healthy Food Action Plan (HFAP) Areas of Focus and strategies, thereby empowering community-driven solutions to food-related challenges. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are the residents of St. Petersburg, particularly those living in Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) designated by the USDA as "Low Income, Low Access" (LI/LA) census tracts. The overarching impact goal is to create a more inclusive and resilient food landscape, ensuring that all residents have access to healthy and nutritious food. By funding projects within these specific geographic areas, the program seeks to directly address disparities in food access and promote better health outcomes for vulnerable populations. The program's funding priorities are structured around three key Areas of Focus: supporting the local food economy and community building, improving food access and security, and strengthening community health and wellness. These priorities guide the selection of projects, ensuring that funded initiatives contribute to a holistic approach to food systems improvement. The City's strategic priorities are evident in its emphasis on local stakeholder empowerment and the development of innovative solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of St. Petersburg's diverse communities. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in food access, increased engagement within the local food economy, and measurable advancements in community health. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided text, the alignment with the Healthy Food Action Plan suggests a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of funded projects against established goals. The program's theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that by investing in local non-profits and community-led initiatives, the City can effectively address systemic issues related to food insecurity and inequity, ultimately leading to a healthier and more resilient St. Petersburg. The City will award up to $300,000 total, with grants available in tiers of $10,000, $25,000, and $50,000. Projects are expected to be implemented between January 1 and December 31, 2025, and must not discriminate against any protected categories or give preferential treatment. Eligible applicants must be Florida-incorporated non-profits with IRS 501(c)(3) designation, operational for at least three years, and have prior experience in QCTs or Healthy Food Priority Areas, or collaborate with an agency that meets these criteria. Applicants must also be in good standing with the City regarding past grants.