$2.3 million available to community-initiated projects working to advance food equity.
By Edward Lee
SEATTLE (January 17, 2024) – Community-based organizations working to create an equitable and sustainable local food system in Seattle are encouraged to apply for the City of Seattle’s Food Equity Fund by the March 19, 2024 deadline. The Food Equity Fund supports work led by those who experience the most food and health inequities: Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, refugees, people with low incomes, youth, and elders.
Funded by the Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT), the Food Equity Fund was developed in 2021 in response to recommendations from the Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) Community Advisory Board. This eleven-member board is committed to centering the communities most impacted by health and economic inequities when advising the City on programs and services supported by SBT revenue.
Last year, the Food Equity Fund received more than $8.4 million in requests and granted $2.3 million in awards to 37 community-driven projects. Recent grantees include Look, Listen & Learn TV, Wa Na Wari, yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective, First Tongan Senior Nutrition Association, Lake City Collective, Casa Latina, and many more.
Apply for Funding
In 2024, approximately $2.3 million in funding will be available for community-led work that contributes to an equitable and sustainable local food system. Examples of eligible project ideas include:
- Capital projects or physical improvements such as a new greenhouse, farm irrigation, and/or commercial kitchen
- Coalition-building to advance food justice & food sovereignty
- Community organizing
- Food programs for elders/seniors
- Food distribution site
- Food justice leadership development
- Food pantry & meal services
- Gardening or farming
- Food-related job training
- Activities that advance economic opportunities in the food system
- Storytelling & cultural preservation and/or education
- Food programs for youth
- And many more
Food Equity Fund Grant have award ranges between $25,000- $100,000. Applications will be open January 16 – March 19, 2024.
For more information or to begin your application visit seattle.gov/food-equity-fund.
Engagement Opportunities
To ensure equitable engagement and to help community leaders get information, fine tune project ideas, and submit strong applications, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) staff are offering a variety of engagement opportunities. Community members can:
- Join a virtual information session. Attendees can listen to a short presentation about the application process and ask questions. Interpretation is available with one week notice. Please register for an information session here.
- Tuesday January 30, 10:00am – 11:00am
- Join online: Food Equity Fund Info Session #1
- Join by phone: (206) 207-1700, Access Code: 2491 432 3663
- Monday February 12, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
- Join online: Food Equity Fund Info Session #2
- Join by phone: (206) 207-1700, Access code: 2489 593 9972
- Tuesday, February 21, 1pm – 2pm
- Join online: Food Equity Fund Info Session #3
- Join by phone: (206) 207-1700, Access code: 2484 962 5571
- Attend open office hours. Join an informal space to ask questions
- Wednesday, March 6, 4:30pm – 6:00pm
- Join online: Food Equity Fund Virtual Open Office Hour
- Join by phone: (206) 207-1700, Access code: 2498 906 0175.
- Speak directly with program staff. Ask questions about the application or discuss proposal ideas with a Food Equity Fund project manager.
- Email foodequityfund@seattle.gov or call 206-727-FOOD (3663) to schedule a one-on-one virtual or in-person meeting with a Food Equity Fund project manager.
Grant Review Process
All applications will be reviewed by a Food Equity Fund Grant Review Panel made up of local community leaders with expertise in racial equity, food justice, and health inequities. The application review process will take place in April and May 2024 with notifications of awards in late June 2024.
Information, resources, and applications are available at our website.
To speak with Food Equity Fund program staff, please call (206) 727 – FOOD (3663) or send an email to foodequityfund@seattle.gov.
Edward Lee is the Director of Communications of City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods.
