Farm Credit East – Food Access Infrastructure Initiative Grant (2027)
Up to $50,000 for Food Access Infrastructure Projects Across the Northeast
Farm Credit East’s Food Access Infrastructure Initiative Grant provides grants of up to $50,000 to nonprofit organizations working to improve food security across the Northeast.
Funding is specifically designed for capital infrastructure projects that strengthen an organization’s ability to store, handle, distribute, or otherwise increase access to food. Eligible projects may include expanded cold storage, improved produce handling systems, real estate improvements, and upgrades that increase distribution capacity.
The 2027 application cycle is currently open, with applications due November 10, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Organization: Farm Credit East
Support Type: Capital infrastructure grants
Funding Amount: Up to $50,000
Geographic Focus: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont
Deadline: November 10, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET
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About the Funder
Farm Credit East is a member-owned agricultural credit and financial services cooperative serving agriculture, commercial fishing, forest products, and related industries throughout the Northeast.
In addition to its financial services, Farm Credit East supports rural communities through grants and community initiatives. The Food Access Infrastructure Initiative is designed to strengthen the physical infrastructure nonprofit organizations need to increase food security and improve food distribution throughout the region.
What This Program Supports
The Food Access Infrastructure Initiative focuses on capital projects that improve the infrastructure needed to increase food access.
Eligible organizations may include:
- Food banks
- Food pantries
- Food hubs
- Nonprofit food distribution organizations
- Other nonprofit food access and infrastructure facilities
Projects should strengthen an organization’s ability to effectively receive, store, handle, or distribute food.
Examples of Eligible Projects
Potential projects may include, but are not limited to:
Cooler & Freezer Capacity
Projects that expand or improve cold-storage capacity, including:
- Walk-in coolers
- Freezers
- Cold-storage improvements
- Infrastructure required to safely store perishable food
Produce Handling
Projects that increase an organization’s ability to receive, handle, store, or distribute fresh produce.
Distribution Improvements
Capital improvements that enhance an organization’s food distribution capacity or efficiency.
Logistics Infrastructure
Projects designed to improve inbound or outbound food logistics.
Real Estate Improvements
Funding may be used for qualifying improvements to real property when those improvements directly strengthen food access infrastructure.
Eligible Organizations
Recipients must be nonprofit organizations working to improve food security.
Organizations should generally be located within Farm Credit East’s eight-state territory:
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
Farm Credit East also notes that organizations outside its territory may potentially be considered when the proposed initiative will positively impact rural communities within Farm Credit East’s service area.
Self-nominations are permitted.
Applicants should carefully review the current application requirements to confirm geographic eligibility before applying.
Eligible Use of Funds
Grant funding must be used for capital projects and infrastructure improvements that advance food access.
Examples may include:
- Building improvements
- Cold-storage expansion
- Food warehouse improvements
- Distribution infrastructure
- Produce handling infrastructure
- Real estate improvements
- Improvements to food storage and logistics facilities
Applicants should clearly demonstrate how the proposed capital investment will increase their organization’s ability to address food insecurity.
Ineligible Uses
Grant funds may not be used for:
- General operating expenses
- Vehicles
- Food production equipment
- Food processing equipment
This is not a general food-security program grant. Organizations should have a clearly defined capital or infrastructure project that directly improves their ability to provide or distribute food.
Funding Amount
💰 Grant Amount: Up to $50,000
Farm Credit East may award grants of up to $50,000 for qualifying infrastructure projects.
Funding decisions are made at the sole discretion of the selection committee.
Recent awards demonstrate the scale of projects the initiative is designed to support. Previous recipients have used funding for projects such as:
- Expanded cold-storage facilities
- Walk-in freezers
- Warehouse expansions
- Food distribution centers
- Building improvements protecting food storage and distribution operations
Organizations should develop a clear capital budget showing how the requested funding will be used and how the investment will increase food access.
Geographic Focus
Projects should benefit communities within Farm Credit East’s Northeast service territory:
📍 Connecticut
📍 Maine
📍 Massachusetts
📍 New Hampshire
📍 New Jersey
📍 New York
📍 Rhode Island
📍 Vermont
The program is particularly focused on improving food security and food access in Northeast communities, including rural areas.
Timeline & Deadline
📅 Application Opens: September 1, 2026
📅 Application Deadline: November 10, 2026
⏰ Deadline Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Organizations considering an infrastructure request should allow sufficient time to develop the project scope, budget, anticipated impact, and supporting information before submitting.
Application / Request Process
Applications are submitted through Farm Credit East’s online grant portal.
Applicants should be prepared to clearly explain:
- The organization’s mission and food-access activities
- The infrastructure challenge being addressed
- The proposed capital improvement
- How the project will improve food access
- The communities and populations that will benefit
- How grant funds will be used
- The project’s expected impact on food storage, handling, logistics, or distribution
Organizations should emphasize the connection between the physical infrastructure investment and increased food access rather than presenting the request as general organizational support.
Apply:
➡️ https://farmcrediteast.smapply.us/prog/food_access_infrastructure_initiative_grant/
Learn More:
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity is particularly strong for nonprofit organizations that:
- Address hunger or food insecurity
- Operate food banks, food pantries, food hubs, or food distribution facilities
- Need to expand cooler or freezer capacity
- Need improvements to warehouses or distribution facilities
- Have an upcoming capital project
- Need to improve food handling or logistics
- Serve communities in the Northeast
- Can demonstrate how infrastructure improvements will increase food access
The potential $50,000 award makes this a substantial corporate-supported funding opportunity for food access organizations facing infrastructure constraints.
It is especially compelling for nonprofits that have outgrown their existing storage or distribution capacity but may have difficulty using traditional program grants for major physical improvements.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Deadline: November 10, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET
Funding Amount: Up to $50,000
Support Type: Capital and infrastructure funding
Geographic Focus: CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, RI, and VT
Best Suited For: Food banks, food hubs, food pantries, and nonprofit food distribution organizations with capital infrastructure needs
General Operating Support: No
Vehicles: Not eligible
Food Production/Processing Equipment: Not eligible
Strong Fit: Cold storage, produce handling, logistics, distribution capacity, and qualifying real estate improvements
