New York Grants Expanding Access to Healthy Food and Markets

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, in partnership with the Office of Temporary and Disability Services, awarded more than $1.1 million to 34 organizations through the second round of two Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention (SNAP-Ed) grant programs. The SNAP-Ed Food Box and Community Growers grant programs provide funding to eligible groups to further expand access to fresh, affordable foods in underserved communities across New York State and support New York’s agricultural industry. Specifically, the SNAP-Ed Community Growers Grant Program awards funds to urban farming and nutrition education projects. It supports community gardens and non-profit farms working to increase food security in underserved areas and help communities develop skills to grow and cook healthy food. Meanwhile, the SNAP-Ed Food Box Grant Program works to expand access to nutritious and locally grown produce to communities at reduced rates, while working to connect farmers with new markets and drive growth in New York’s agricultural industry. This statewide grant program encourages participants to make local produce available and accessible to SNAP-eligible and food insecure communities while simultaneously providing nutrition education.