COVID-19 Recovery resources available from the federal government and at the national level
US Government
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) COVID-19 information on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and other information
USDA Farmers Market and Local Food Production Program
USDA Community Food Projects Program
Grant Opportunities
NEA Foundation COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants
Deadline: June 11
The purpose of the National Education Association Foundation’s Rapid Response Funding is to support educator-led initiatives to adapt to the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic during the summer months of 2020. Among other initiatives, this may include meeting the nutritional needs of students who rely on school meals and school-based summer feeding programs. These grants will be awarded for a six-month grant period and for amounts of $1,500 to $5,000. Applicants must be teachers, education support professionals, or specialized instructional support personnel and must be current NEA members. Learn more.
Action for Healthy Kids: Emergency Meal Distribution Equipment Grants
These grants provide funds for additional equipment to create “grab and go” curbside meal pickups at schools and other locations within the community. School districts (not individual schools) providing meals during school closures as a result of COVID-19 may apply for as many sites/schools that can use equipment. Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded. Learn more and apply here.
United Philanthropy Forum’s Momentum Fund
Deadline: June 18
The Momentum Fund will provide grants to 501(c)(3) organizations that are managing an active COVID-19 fund. The grants will help these organizations build their capacity so that they can effectively grow, promote, manage and sustain their funds (whether they need to add new staff, access consulting expertise, acquire new software, etc.). Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $100,000 and a total of $8.5 million will be awarded. Learn more and apply.
Reinvestment Fund’s 2020 Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Targeted Small Grants Program
Deadline: July 10
The 2020 HFFI round has $3 million in grant funds available (grants from $20,000-$200,000) for food retail and food enterprises working to improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas, to create and preserve quality jobs, and to revitalize low-income communities. Funding for HFFI is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), authorized by the Farm Bill. A webinar will be held on June 2 at 2 p.m. EST to confirm details about the application process and answer questions. No registration is required to join and a recording of the webinar will be accessible using the same link. Learn more and apply here.
National organizations
National Farm to School Network – Information and resources for the Farm to School & Farm to ECE Community
Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG) Guide to COVID-19 Relief – Several of the programs discussed in this Guide are the product of the CARES Act—technically known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) Responses to and resources for COVDID-19
Alliance to End Hunger – National advocacy supporting efforts to end hunger
Food Research Action Center – National food advocacy efforts