2021 Food Sovereignty Grant applications now open

Mayor Kim Janey and the Mayor’s Office of Food Access (OFA) today announced that $300,000 in funding is now available through the 2021 Food Sovereignty grants, using funds the City received through the American Rescue Plan Act. The Food Sovereignty Grant program will fund urban farming and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) projects to give Boston residents better access to healthy and affordable food, and support non-profit Boston-based farmers throughout different seasons. Interested Boston-based farmers are encouraged to apply here by August 16, 2021 at 5:00pm.

“The Food Sovereignty Grant program offers Boston residents the opportunity to grow their own food at home or at community sites, and will improve independent access to healthy and affordable food. These grants will help Community Supported Agriculture projects increase their capacity to fight food insecurity year-round,” said Janey. “I am proud to work alongside the Office of Food Access to expand opportunities for Boston-based farmers and help us reach our goal of creating equal and sustainable food access across the city.” 

The Office of Food Access is offering two categories of Food Sovereignty grants. 

1. Raised bed construction and installation grant.
2. Subsidized Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) grant.  

By supporting the construction and installation of raised beds, the Office of Food Access’ goal is to provide opportunities for Boston residents or communities experiencing food insecurity to grow their own food with raised beds at home or hosted at a community site. Additionally, this initiative will also help strengthen community relationships around gardening. Through the subsidized CSA grant, the Office of Food Access goal is to connect farmers directly to households that are experiencing food insecurity. Interested applicants may apply to one or both.

Grant funds can be used to cover for supply costs, personnel, equipment, contract services, and administrative costs. All grantees are required to:

• Attend three meetings, where organizations will report back on their milestones, provide feedback and voice challenges they are facing. 
• Submit quarterly financial and programmatic reports, and
• Collect a minimum set of anonymous data around race, ethnicity, language, and geographic location (zip code) of participants.

Residents and non-profit organizations that serve Boston residents are encouraged to submit proposals. Both grants are open to any individual or entity who would like to respond. The City encourages participation from:

• Small and Boston-based nonprofit farmers
• Minority-led
• Women-led, and
• Other disadvantaged entities

Applicant organizations must serve Boston residents, and the produce that is included in the subsidized CSA boxes is required to be locally grown and sourced. Organizations and individuals are encouraged to submit a collaborative proposal. In order to participate, applicants must have a City of Boston Vendor ID. To sign up, applicants should visit: www.boston.gov/procurement. For questions regarding this process, please email Vendor.Questions@cityofboston.gov or call 617-635-4564.

Residents or community based organizations interested in having a raised bed installed at their home, property, or community site can submit an application at boston.gov/raised-beds. Applicants will receive a confirmation email and can expect to be notified by September 6, 2021. 

The Mayor’s Office of Food Access strives to give all residents of Boston access to nutritious, affordable, culturally connected food. Keeping the diversity of Boston’s population at heart, OFA’s goal is to create a more food secure City with a vibrant, inclusive food culture.