Funder: Department of Agriculture
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: FY2026: approximately $4.75 million total; subawards up to $5,000 per individual or $10,000 per organization annually, for up to three years
Summary: Supports small-scale food production and food access projects in eligible states and territories with significant food insecurity and reliance on imported food.
Key Information: Individuals and organizations must apply through their eligible state or territory agricultural agency, not directly to USDA.
Description
The Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP), administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), supports activities that increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food-insecure communities. It focuses on eligible states and territories with significant food insecurity and substantial reliance on imported food. AMS awards funds noncompetitively to agricultural agencies, which then conduct competitive local subaward programs.
Supported work includes small-scale gardening, herding, livestock production, and activities that expand access to food and food-security knowledge. Projects may support growing and storing food, hydroponic or aeroponic production, animal purchases, fencing, processing facilities, local food sales, subsistence activities, and agricultural education. Participating agencies define their local competitions and oversee funded projects.
