Unlocking Opportunities: Montgomery County Launches Innovative Food Systems Infrastructure Grant Program

The Montgomery County Food Policy Council has launched an exciting initiative: a food systems infrastructure grant program. They’ve set aside $600,000 to fund projects that promote a more equitable and sustainable food system in the county.

This funding is aimed at businesses, non-profits, local governments, and community organizations. The goal? To help create meaningful changes in Montgomery County’s food landscape. Projects can vary widely, from providing irrigation for community gardens to setting up food lockers for pantries or even installing EBT readers at farmers’ markets. The council encourages projects that specifically help underserved or marginalized communities and emphasize community involvement.

This grant program hopes to achieve several important objectives:

• Increase market access for local farmers
• Enhance food security for residents
• Minimize food waste
• Boost access to local food
• Support the local food economy
• Improve food options in schools
• Promote education in gardening and nutrition

According to recent statistics from the USDA, about 10.5% of households in the U.S. faced food insecurity in 2021. This underscores the importance of local efforts like those in Montgomery County to tackle these pressing issues.

Interested organizations should submit their Letters of Intent by May 30, 2025. Selected applicants will then be invited to provide full applications in June, with winners announced in August.

For more details about the grant, check out the application process here. The Montgomery County Food Policy Council, established in 2024, aims to fight food insecurity and build a more resilient food system. Learn more about the council here.

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