USDA Grants for Food Banks and Hunger Relief Programs

Food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and hunger relief organizations can access federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FEMA, and other agencies. These grants support food distribution infrastructure, emergency food assistance, nutrition education, and capacity building.

With food insecurity affecting millions of Americans, federal investment in hunger relief continues to grow. Staying informed about funding opportunities ensures your organization can serve more people facing hunger.

GrantPing helps food banks and hunger relief organizations track federal funding.

Major Federal Food Security Grant Programs

1. USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

TEFAP provides USDA commodity foods and administrative funding to states for distribution through food banks and pantries. States receive formula funding and distribute to local agencies. Infrastructure grants can support equipment like refrigerated trucks and warehouse improvements.

2. USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA)

The LFPA program funds states and tribal governments to purchase and distribute local food to underserved communities. Awards range from $500,000 to $10 million.

3. FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)

FEMA EFSP provides funding for emergency food, shelter, and supportive services through local boards. Food banks and pantries can receive funding for food purchases and distribution. Awards range from $10,000 to $500,000 depending on jurisdiction.

4. USDA Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program

This USDA program funds initiatives connecting farmers with food assistance programs, including grants to food banks developing farm-to-food bank partnerships. Awards range from $50,000 to $500,000.

5. ACL Senior Nutrition Programs

The Administration for Community Living funds congregate and home-delivered meals for seniors through Title III-C of the Older Americans Act. Formula grants to states flow to local providers including food banks operating senior nutrition programs.

Recent Opportunities

Who Is Eligible?

Food security grant eligibility typically includes:

• Food banks and regional food distribution organizations
• 501(c)(3) nonprofit food pantries and soup kitchens
• State TEFAP coordinating agencies
• Faith-based organizations operating food programs
• Community-based organizations addressing hunger
• Tribal organizations
• Local governments operating food assistance programs

What Types of Projects Get Funded?

Successful food security grants typically support:

• Infrastructure improvements - Warehouses, cold storage, refrigerated trucks
• Emergency food distribution - Food pantries, mobile pantries, home delivery
• Nutrition education - Cooking classes, SNAP-Ed, healthy eating programs
• Farm-to-food bank programs - Local food sourcing, gleaning, community gardens
• Capacity building - Food safety training, volunteer management, technology
• Food recovery - Rescuing surplus food from farms, restaurants, retailers
• Senior nutrition - Congregate meals, Meals on Wheels programs
• Child nutrition - Summer meal programs, backpack programs, school pantries

Never Miss a Food Security Grant Opportunity

GrantPing monitors USDA, FEMA, ACL, and other agencies funding hunger relief programs. You'll receive notifications about competitive grants, formula program announcements, and emergency assistance opportunities—helping you expand food access in your community.