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2023 Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program – Equipment RFA

Grantor:
CA Department of Food and Agriculture
Portal ID:
28058
Status:
Closed
Opportunity Type:
  • Grant
Last Updated:
 | 
Categories:

Details

Purpose:

The program aims to improve access to healthy foods in underserved communities while promoting California-grown agriculture through funding energy-efficient and climate-friendly refrigeration and freezer equipment in corner stores, small businesses and food donation programs in low-income or low-food access areas throughout the state.

Description:

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is pleased to announce a competitive application process for the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program (HRGP). CDFA will fund energy-efficient and climate-friendly refrigeration and freezer equipment in corner stores, small businesses, and food donation programs in low-income or low-food access areas throughout the state of California. New units are to stock California-grown fresh produce, nuts, eggs, meat, dairy, minimally processed, and culturally appropriate foods. The purpose of the program is to improve access to healthy foods in underserved communities, while promoting CA-grown agriculture.

Eligible entities for this program include corner stores, small businesses, food donation programs and nonprofits working with eligible sites and/or selling or donating food in low-income or low-access areas. Cities, counties, nonprofits or Tribal governments may also apply for equipment on behalf of eligible sites and may apply for up to 20% of total grant awards to provide technical assistance. 

Businesses and organizations serving historically & socially disadvantaged populations, including those defined in the Farmer Equity Act, will be prioritized, as well as businesses and organizations owned or led by members of minority or socially disadvantaged groups. 

Up to $9 million is available in grants. There is no minimum or maximum amount applicants may request within the available funding pool and no matching is required. 

Applications are due via CDFA’s new grant management system, AmpliFund, by 5:00 pm PDT, July 7, 2023.

Visit the HRGP webpage for additional resources including the final RFA, documents to guide refrigeration selection, installation, and use, and contact information for technical assistance providers.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

  • Business
  • Individual
  • Nonprofit
  • Public Agency
  • Tribal Government

Eligible applicants are:

Corner stores, which include small-scale or grocery stores, either independent or chain, that are located in a low-income or low-food access area in a rural, urban, or suburban region.

Small businesses and nonprofits that sell/donate food to low-income or low-food access clientele.

Cities, counties, Tribal governments, or nonprofits that will apply for equipment on behalf of and provide TA to eligible sites.

Eligible Geographies:

Businesses and organizations applying for equipment must serve low-income and/or low-food access clientele in the state of California. 

Businesses and organizations serving historically & socially disadvantaged communities, and/or are owned or led by members of minority or socially disadvantaged groups will be prioritized. 

Matching Funding Requirement:

Matched or in-kind funding is optional. While not required, cost sharing is encouraged, and can be considered in scoring if it strengthens the project.

Important Dates

The date (and time, where applicable) by which all applications must be submitted to the grantmaker. Time listed as “00:00” equates to midnight.
The date on which the grantor expects to announce the recipient(s) of the grant.
Late July 2023
The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized.
By December 2026

Funding Details

The total projected dollar amount of the grant.
$9,000,000
A single grant opportunity may represent one or many awards. Some grantors may know in advance the exact number of awards to be given. Others may indicate a range. Some may wish to and wait until the application period closes before determining how many awards to offer; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Grant opportunities representing multiple awards may offer awards in the same amount or in varied amounts. Some may wish to wait until the application period closes before determining per-award amounts; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) provide a letter of intent.
No
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) be able to fully or partially match the grant award amount with another funding source.
No
The funding source allocated to fund the grant. It may be either State or Federal (or a combination of both), and be tied to a specific piece of legislation, a proposition, or a bond number.
  • State

Funding Source Notes:

This program is established in CA Food and Agricultural Code Section 49015 and renewed funding was made available through the 2021 and 2022 State Budget Acts.

The manner in which the grant funding will be delivered to the awardee. Funding methods include reimbursements (where the recipient spends out-of-pocket and is reimbursed by the grantor) and advances (where the recipient spends received grant funds directly).
  • Advances & Reimbursement(s)

Funding Method Notes:

Grantees can be reimbursed monthly, quarterly, or annually, at their convenience. Reimbursements can be expected within 45-60 days after invoices are approved.

Grantees may receive grant advances for up to three months of expenses at a time when a reimbursement process would severely impact their capacity to implement the project, if certain criteria are met and procedures followed. No more than 90% of the total grant award can be advanced.

How to Apply

State agencies/departments recommend you read the full grant guidelines before applying.

Resources

For questions about this grant, contact:
Caroline Long, 1-916-823-2915, cafarmtofork@cdfa.ca.gov

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