Office of Food Security Notice of Funding Opportunity for Produce, Meat and Dairy Purchasing Pilot Grant 2025

The Office of Food Security has launched the “Produce, Meat and Dairy Purchasing Pilot Grant”. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (APRA), this initiative provides direct financial assistance to existing food pantries, non-profits, and community organizations to purchase and distribute fresh food to Mercer County residents experiencing food insecurity. This program aligns with APRA’s mission to address pandemic-related economic and public health challenges by ensuring equitable access to healthy foods. By focusing on fresh or frozen perishable foods, this program works to ensure that the most vulnerable have access to essential, nutrient-rich foods.

Through this grant program, a total of $205,000 in funding will be awarded to eligible applicants committed to the distribution of fresh or frozen produce, meats and dairy to food insecure Mercer County residents. Organizations may apply for tiered funding up to $30,000 with all awarded funds required to be utilized within the contracted period of July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.

• Tier One – Large-Scale Distributing Organizations funding up to $30,000
• Tier Two – Small-Scale Distributing Organizations funding up to $15,000

Organizations serving food insecure communities are encouraged to apply for this funding to be used towards the purchasing of fresh or frozen produce, meat, and dairy. Applicants must have established infrastructure to safely hold and distribute purchased fresh or frozen products, as these funds are intended to be used for the direct purchase of products and not for infrastructural needs.

A Technical Assistance session is scheduled, Wednesday April 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM (Registration Required!)
Proposals must be received by April 15, 2025, 12:00pm (prevailing time).
The County is not responsible for late submissions.

COUNTY OF MERCER, NEW JERSEY