FY23-CFP-RFA-508.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Community Food Projects

Competitive Grant Program

FUNDING YEAR: Fiscal Year 2023

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 7, 2022

5:00 P.M. EST

ANTICIPATED FUNDING: $4,800,000

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-NIFA-CFP-009321

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.225

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: Not Required

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture

Assistance Listing. The Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program is listed in the Assistance Listings under number 10.225.

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Task Description Deadline

Application: FY2023 - 5:00 P.M. Eastern, October 7, 2022

Letter of Intent: Not Required Applicants Comments: Within six months from the issuance of this notice

(NIFA may not consider comments received after the sixth month)

Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility. NIFA recognizes research, education, and extension efforts will have the greatest impacts when equity is grounded in the programs. NIFA is committed to enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility of programs and encourages individuals, institutions, and organizations from underserved communities to apply to funding opportunities as lead, co-lead, or subaward recipient(s), and to engage as leaders in the peer panel review process to support the development of strong networks and collaborations. NIFA encourages applications that engage diverse communities and have broad impacts through research, education, extension, and integrated activities to address current and future challenges.

Stakeholder Input. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) seeks comments on all request for applications (RFAs) so it can deliver programs efficiently, and effectively, with integrity, and with a focus on customer service. NIFA considers comments, to the extent possible when developing RFAs and use comments to help meet the requirements of Section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2)).

Applicants may submit written comments to Policy@usda.gov (email is for comments only).

Please use the following subject line: Response to the Community Food Projects RFA.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/agricultural-research-extension-and-education-reform-act-1998 https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/agricultural-research-extension-and-education-reform-act-1998 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:7613%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section7613)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true mailto:Policy@usda.gov

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This RFA outlines the guidance for applications for CFPCGP for fiscal year (FY) 2023. The amount available for CFPCGP in FY2023 is approximately $4,800,000. The CFPCGP requests proposals for three types of grants, (1) Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA), (2) Planning Projects (PP), and (3) Community Food Projects (CFP).

This RFA is being released prior to passage of a full appropriations act for FY2023. Enactment of a continuing resolution or a full appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

This notice identifies the objectives for CFPCGP projects, the eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a CFPCGP grant.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority B. Purpose and Priorities C. Program Area Description

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Application Restrictions C. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements B. Cost Sharing or Matching

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application B. Content and Form of the Application C. Funding Restrictions

PART V. APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. NIFA’s Evaluation Process B. Evaluation Criteria C. Organizational Management Information D. Application Disposition

PART VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements C. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements

PART VII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Use of Funds and Changes in Budget B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards C. Regulatory Information

APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

TABLE OF TABLES

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Table 2: Training and Technical Assistance Grant (T&TA) Key Information…………………...7 Table 3: Planning Project (PP) Key Information Table 4: Community Food Project (CFP) Key Information Table 5: Steps to Obtain Application Materials Table 6: Help and Resources Table 7: Key Application Instructions

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority The Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) (7 U.S.C. 2034) was authorized by Public Law 104-127 (Title IV, section 401(h), April 4, 1996) which amended the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011) and added §25, Assistance for Community Food Projects (7 U.S.C. 2034). Public Law 88-525.

B. Purpose and Priorities The primary goals of the Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (CFPCGP), Assistance Listing 10.225 are as follows (7 U.S.C. 2034(b)):

a. Meet the food needs of low-income individuals through food distribution, community outreach to assist in participation in Federally assisted nutrition programs, or improving access to food as part of a comprehensive service;

b. Increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for the food needs of the communities; and

c. Promote comprehensive responses to local food access, farm, and nutrition issues; or

d. Meet specific state, tribal, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs including needs relating to:

i. Equipment necessary for the efficient operation of a project; planning for long-term solutions; or

ii. The creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.

The CFPCGP is intended to bring together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system and to foster understanding of national food security trends and how they might improve local food systems. Understanding that low-income individuals experience disproportionate access to healthy foods, projects are to address food and nutrition insecurity, particularly among our nation’s most vulnerable populations. Nutrition Security is defined as having consistent access, availability, and affordability of foods and beverages that promote well-being. Communities that are partially or fully located in Opportunity Zones are particularly encouraged to apply.

USDA Strategic Plan: The CFPCGP priorities directly align with. USDA Strategic Goal 4:

Make Safe, Nutritious Food Available to All Americans; Objective 4.1; Increase Food Security Through Assistance and Access to Nutritious and Affordable Food.

Modifications for FY2023

1. Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (CFPCGP) is competing one Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) grant award.

2. Grantees of Planning Projects and Community Foods Projects and Planning Projects will cooperate with the T&TA provider for services offered which may include assistance in project development, grantsmanship training, project evaluation, and leadership development. Activities might include, but are not limited to, project director meetings, conference meeting, telephone appointments, workshop training, peer to peer interaction, one on one training, curricula development, webinars, and/or videoconferencing. Refer to T&TA goals for more information in PART I description under (Table 1).

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:2034%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section2034)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.congress.gov/104/plaws/publ127/PLAW-104publ127.pdf https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:2011%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section2011)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:2034%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section2034)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/statutes/pl/88/525.pdf https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:2034%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section2034)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-fy-2022-2026-strategic-plan.pdf

3. This RFA includes revised program descriptions.

4. The evaluation requirements are streamlined for all solicitated grant types.

5. Eligibility requirements are clarified for Community Food Projects and Planning

Projects.

C. Program Area Description In FY 2023 NIFA’s CFPCGP intends to solicit applications and fund three types of grants. The grant types are entitled (1) Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) Projects, (2) Planning Projects (PP) and (3) Community Food Projects (CFP).

Table 2: Training and Technical Assistance Grant (T&TA) Key Information

Title Description Program Code: LN.A

Program Code Name Training and Technical Assistance grant Assistance Listing Number 10.225

Project Type: T&TA Grant Type: Standard

Application Deadline October 7, 2022 at 5:00 PM EST Anticipated number of awards One

Period of Performance: Not to exceed four 4 years Anticipated Award Amounts: Award not to exceed $250,000 awarded annually on continuation basis; not to exceed $1M over 4 years

Matching requirements No Match required

Training and Technical Assistance Grant (T&TA) In FY2023, NIFA will competitively award one, continuation multi-year grant. Applicants should request a budget commensurate with the proposed project. No single T&TA award shall exceed $250,000 in any single year or $1M in 4 years (see Table 2). No matching of funds is required. All T&TA awards will be made based on the merit of the proposed project and supporting documents. USDA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with applicants recommended for awards.

1. Expertise for T&TA should encompass the broad array of community food activities, including a strong comprehensive evaluation, using a scientific, evidence-based evaluation method which leads to an objective assessment of CFP projects according to primary goals the CFPCGP which are to: (1)(a) meet the food needs of low-income individuals through food distribution, community outreach to assist in participation in Federally assisted nutrition programs, or improving access to food as part of a comprehensive service; (b) increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs; and (c) promote comprehensive responses to local food access, farm, and nutrition issues; or (2) meet specific State, local, or neighborhood food and agriculture needs for (a) equipment necessary for the efficient operation of a project; (b) planning for long-term solutions; or (c) the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers; (see PART 1B).

2. The T&TA provider should have broad expertise and have national relevance and scope and provide a one-stop service to CFPCGP applicants requesting technical assistance.

3. Organizations that can demonstrate an involvement in community food and nutrition security issues and programs along with strong training experience, and competence in outcome evaluation are strongly encouraged to apply.

4. T&TA projects must offer CFPCGP grantees and grantees with grantsmanship writing and reporting skills and resources to help them to increase their skills in developing competitive applications that meet CFPCG primary goals. Training and resources should be accessible at various stages in the grant-making cycle and should be culturally appropriate. Additionally, use of innovative technologies, peer-to-peer interactions, webinars and/or videoconferencing, recordings etc., is critical.

5. T&TA projects must offer CFPCGP grantees with relevant technical assistance related to grant application and submission into grants.gov, and evaluation and reporting, ensuring high quality technical reports in NIFA reporting systems as well as a deepened understanding of the financial reporting requirements and post-award prior approval processes included in award terms and conditions.

6. T&TA projects will form regional networks to strengthen relationships; create opportunities for collaboration amongst grantees; and organize an annual CFPCGP project director meeting. This meeting will be attended annually by CFPCGP awardees and NIFA staff.

7. T&TA projects will also organize a CFPCGP Annual Conference. The annual CFPCGP conference will be a learning and outreach event with open attendance to the CFPCGP community including non-grantees interested in community food projects work.

8. T&TA projects will assess CFPGP outreach gaps and conduct outreach to increase awareness and understanding of CFPCGP in underserved states and communities.

9. T&TA projects will use their expertise in community-based outcome-based reporting to compile project data from CFPCGP grantees to produce an annual report highlighting the impacts the program in improving the access to nutritious foods and reducing food insecurity among limited resource communities. The report is to include the following headings: (i) CFPCGP’s outcomes (ii) CFPCGP impacts (iii) CFPCGP geographic reach and program outreach metrics and, (iv) T&TA impact data.

Examples: T&TA services offered may include assistance in project development, grantsmanship training, project evaluation, leadership development, and/or assistance on a particular type of project, for example, youth farm enterprises, urban farms, community gardens, direct marketing, and farm-to-institution methods, or other services. Activities might include, but are not limited to, telephone hotline, workshop training, peer to peer interaction, one on one training, curricula development, webinars, and/or video-conferencing.

Table 3: Planning Project (PP) Key Information Title Description

Program Code: LN. B Program Code Name: Planning Project

Assistance Listing Number: 10.225 Project Type: PP

Grant Type: Standard Application Deadline: October 7, 2022, at 5:00 PM EST

Planning Activity Duration: 12-36 Months; Not to Exceed 3 years Maximum # of Awards Per Applicant: 1

Anticipated Award Amounts: Average award is $25,000 for 12-36 months.

Maximum award is $35,000 over 12-36 months. One-time award.

Matching requirements 1:1 Match is required

Planning Projects (PP) Grant Planning Projects (PP) applicants should request a budget commensurate with the proposed project. Average award is approximately $25,000 for 12-36 months. Maximum award is $35,000 over 12-36 months (see Table 3). This is a one-time award. Applicants are to provide matching on a dollar-for-dollar basis for all federal funds requested at the time the application is submitted.

All PP awards will be made based on the merit of the proposed project and supporting documents. USDA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with applicants recommended for awards. Grantees of PP will be required to participate in the CPPCGP program evaluation, including required project data collection, sharing of data with the T&TA entity.

Purpose: The purpose of the PP is to complete plans toward the improvement of community food security in keeping with the primary goals of the CFPCGP (see Part I § B of this RFA).

Planning Projects are to focus on a defined community and describe in detail the activities and outcomes of the planning project. The PP is to prepare a plan for a successful Community Food Project in keeping with the purpose of CFP program goals. Therefore, the planning grant is expected to model all aspects of the Community Food Projects.

PP Proposals: Preference will be given to PP proposals designed to:

1. Develop linkages between two or more sectors of the food system;

2. Support the development of entrepreneurial plans;

3. Develop innovative connections between the for-profit and non-profit food sectors;

4. Encourage long-term planning activities, and sustainable, multi-system, interagency approaches with collaborations from multiple stakeholders that build the long-term capacity of communities to address the food and agricultural problems of the communities, such as food policy councils and food planning associations; or

5. Develop plans for new resources and strategies to help reduce food insecurity in the community and prevent food insecurity in the future through planning strategies to:

a. Develop creative food resources on food systems

b. Coordinate food services with park and recreation programs and other community-based outlets to reduce barriers to access; or

c. Plan to create or leverage existing nutrition education programs for at-risk or vulnerable populations to enhance food-purchasing and food-preparation skills and to heighten awareness of the connection between diet and health. Extant federally funded programs that can be leveraged include, The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), and EFNEP, and The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed).

6. Additionally, preference will be given to PP proposals that plan to apply a systems approach to address social determinants of health (SDOH) and increase the capacity of communities to increase food security through assistance and access to nutritious and affordable food; and Prioritize nutrition security and critical current and future effects of climate change on food systems. The Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program seeks to improve food and nutrition security in limited resource communities through a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework. For this RFA, the SDOH framework is defined as conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that can affect health risks and outcomes. Food systems are defined as a range of sectors or subsystems and activities involved in the production, aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption, and disposal of food products that originate from agriculture, forestry or fisheries, and parts of the broader economic, societal, and natural environments in which they are embedded. A sustainable food system is one that delivers food and nutrition security equitably in such a way that the economic, social, and environmental bases to generate food and nutrition security for future generations are not compromised.

Consultation with the Training and Technical Assistance Provider (T&TA):

PP grantees will be required to cooperate with the T&TA provider for the following services:

(i) attend PD meetings

(ii) submitting project evaluation reports annually for the life of the grant.

PP grantees will be strongly encouraged to participate in the optional services provided by the T&TA provider including:

(i) technical assistance related to application, project development etc.

(ii) grantsmanship training

(iii) project evaluation training

(iv) leadership/capacity development training.

These optional activities might include but are not limited to conferences, telephone appointments, workshops, peer to peer interaction, one on one training, curricula development, webinars, and/or videoconferencing. Refer to T&TA goals for more information in Part I description under (Table 1).

Examples: PP examples include, but are not limited to, community food assessments, coordination of collaboration development plans, Global Information System (GIS) analyses, food sovereignty studies, and farm-to-institution exploration. All projects must involve low-income participants.

Table 4: Community Food Project (CFP) Key Information

Title Description Program Code: LN.C

Program Code Name Community Food Project Assistance Listing Number 10.225

Project Type: CFP Grant Type: Standard

Application Deadline October 7, 2022 at 5:00 PM EST Grant Duration: Not to exceed 48 Months

Anticipated Award Amounts:

Average award is $298,000 over 36 to 48 months. The minimum award is $125,000 over 12 months and maximum award is $400,000 over 48 months. The purpose of the award is to support the development of a Community Food Project with a ONE-TIME contribution of federal dollars to become self-sustaining (7 U.S.C. 2034(b)).

Matching requirement 1:1 Match is required

Community Food Projects (CFP) Grant Community Food Projects (CFP) applicants should request a budget commensurate with the proposed project. Average award is approximately $298,000 over 36 to 48 months. No single award will exceed $125,000 in any single year or $400,000 over four years (See Table 4). This is a one-time award. Applicants are to provide matching on a dollar-for-dollar basis for all federal funds requested at the time the application is submitted. Applicants may request one, two, three, or four years of funding, but in all cases, the grant term may not exceed four years for any proposal. A no-cost extension to a fifth year may be requested. All CFP awards will be made based on the merit of the proposed project and supporting documents. USDA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with applicants recommended for awards. Grantees of CFP will be required to participate in the CPPCGP program evaluation, including required project data collection, sharing of data with the T&TA entity.

Purpose: The purpose of the CFP is to support the development of projects with a ONE-TIME infusion of federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining. CFPs are designed to create community-based food projects with objectives, activities and outcomes that are in alignment with CFPCGP primary goals.

CFP Proposals: Preference will be given to CFP proposals designed to:

1. Develop linkages between two or more sectors of the food system;

2. Support the development of entrepreneurial projects;

3. Develop innovative connections between the for-profit and non-profit food sectors;

4. Encourage long-term planning activities, and sustainable, multi-system, interagency approaches with collaborations from multiple stakeholders that build the long-term capacity of communities to address the food and agricultural problems of the communities, such as food policy councils and food planning associations; or

5. Develop new resources and strategies to help reduce food insecurity in the community and prevent food insecurity in the future by:

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a. Developing creative food resources on food systems

b. Coordinating food services with park and recreation programs and other community-based outlets to reduce barriers to access; or

c. Creating or leveraging existing nutrition education programs for at-risk or vulnerable populations to enhance food-purchasing and food-preparation skills and to heighten awareness of the connection between diet and health. Extant federally funded programs that can be leveraged include, The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), and EFNEP, and The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed).

6. Additionally, preference will be given to CFP proposals that apply a systems approach to address social determinants of health (SDOH) and increase the capacity of communities to increase food security through assistance and access to nutritious and affordable food;

and prioritize nutrition security and critical current and future effects of climate change on food systems. The Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program seeks to improve food and nutrition security in limited resource communities through a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework. For this RFA, the SDOH framework is defined as conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that can affect health risks and outcomes. Food systems are defined as a range of sectors or subsystems and activities involved in the production, aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption, and disposal of food products that originate from agriculture, forestry or fisheries, and parts of the broader economic, societal, and natural environments in which they are embedded. A sustainable food system is one that delivers food and nutrition security equitably in such a way that the economic, social, and environmental bases to generate food and nutrition security for future generations are not compromised.

Consultation with the Training and Technical Assistance Provider (T&TA):

PP grantees will be required to cooperate with the T&TA provider for the following services:

(i) attend PD meetings

(ii) submitting project evaluation reports annually for the life of the grant.

PP grantees will be strongly encouraged to participate in the optional services provided by the T&TA provider including:

(i) technical assistance related to application, project development etc.

(ii) grantsmanship training

(iii) project evaluation training

(iv) leadership/capacity development training

These optional activities might include but are not limited to conferences, telephone appointments, workshops, peer to peer interaction, one on one training, curricula development, webinars, and/or videoconferencing. Refer to T&TA goals for more information in Part I description under (Table 1).

Examples: CFP examples include, but are not limited to, community gardens with market stands, value chain projects, food hubs, farmers’ markets, farm-to-institutions projects, and marketing & consumer cooperatives. All projects must involve low-income consumers.

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding The amount available for the Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (CFPCGP) in FY 2023 is approximately $4,800,000 each year. USDA is not committed to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards. This RFA is being released prior to passage of a full appropriations act for FY 2023. Enactment of a continuing resolution or a full appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

The Automated Standard Application for Payments, operated by the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this RFA.

B. Application Restrictions NIFA will evaluate applications using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA. Applications for FY 2023 are limited to the following application types:

1. New applications: New applications will be evaluated using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA and are subject to the due dates herein (see Appendix III for definition).

2. Resubmitted applications: Resubmitted applications will be evaluated using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA and are subject to the due dates herein (see Appendix III for definition). Resubmitted applications must include the response to the previous review panel summary and are subject to the same criteria. Resubmitting applicants must enter the NIFA-assigned proposal number of the previously submitted application in the Federal Field (Field 4) on the application form (see Appendix III for definition). NIFA will not review applications for proposals that exceed the budgetary guidelines.

C. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects In accordance with sections 2, 3, and 8 of 2 CFR Part 422, institutions that conduct USDA-funded extramural research must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity, bear primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct, and maintain and effectively communicate and train their staff regarding policies and procedures. In the event an application to NIFA results in an award, the Authorized Representative (AR) assures, through acceptance of the award that the institution will comply with the above requirements. Award recipients must, upon request, make available to NIFA the policies, procedures, and documentation to support the conduct of the training. See Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research for further information.

https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=3f96ab05cf1fc2d2713e5e46755e7696&mc=true&node=pt2.1.422&rgn=div5#se2.1.422_12 https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for a grant under subsection (b), a public food program service provider, a tribal organization, or a private nonprofit entity, including gleaners, must-

(1) have experience in the area of-

(A) community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-sized farms, including the provision of food to people in low-income communities and the development of new markets in low-income communities for agricultural producers;

(B) job training and business development activities for food-related activities in low-income communities; or

(C) efforts to reduce food insecurity in the community, including food distribution, improving access to services, or coordinating services and programs;

(2) demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal accountability, collect data, and prepare reports and other necessary documentation;

(3) demonstrate a willingness to share information with researchers, practitioners, and other interested parties; and

(4) collaborate with 1 or more local partner organizations to achieve at least 1 hunger-free communities' goal.

Eligibility is further explained in the following:

Training and Technical Assistance Grant Eligibility Eligibility to apply for the CFPCGP Training and Technical Assistance grant (T&TA) is limited to nongovernmental organizations, state cooperative extension services, region food systems centers, Federal, State or Tribal agencies, and institutions of higher education. Training and Technical Assistance Grants proposals are not invited every year.

Community Foods Projects and Planning Projects Grant Eligibility Types of Institutions/organization eligible to apply for Planning Projects (PP) and Community Food Projects (CFP) are Private Nonprofit entities. “Private Nonprofit entities” are defined as any nongovernmental corporation, trust, association, cooperative or other organization which: (i) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest; (ii) is not organized primarily for profit; and (iii) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve, and/or expand its operations.

To be eligible for a grant, a private nonprofit applicant must meet four mandatory requirements:

1. Have experience in the area of:

a. Community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-size farms, including the provision of food to people in low-income communities and the development of new markets in low-income communities for agricultural producers;

b. Job training and business development activities for food-related activities in low-income communities; and

c. Efforts to reduce food insecurity in the low-income community, including food distribution, improving access to services, or coordinating services and programs.

2. Demonstrate competency to implement a project and provide fiscal accountability.

Fiscal Agent. A Fiscal agent is an organization managing financial responsibilities on behalf of the applicant. If an institution/organization cannot accept Federal funds directly, a letter must be included in the application stating that in the event the application results in an award, the award funds must be administered through a fiscal agent on their behalf. This agent must be identified in the letter from the applicant and the letter must be countersigned by an authorized representative of the fiscal agent organization. The letter should include the fiscal agent’s point of contact, address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address.

This letter is to be included as an attachment to Field 12, Other Attachments (see Part IV § B of this RFA). In the event an application is recommended for funding, NIFA will request that both the applicant or institution/organization and the fiscal agent organization submit complete management information (see Part V § C of this RFA).

3. Demonstrate a willingness to share information with researchers, evaluators, practitioners, and other interested parties, including a plan for dissemination of results; and collaborate with 1 or more local partner organizations to achieve at least 1 hunger-free communities’ goal. See http://ric.nal.usda.gov/10583 for more information about hunger-free communities goals. Data collection and preparation of reports and other necessary documentation in the form of a Data Management Plan (DMP)is required for this program.

a. Handling of baseline data and data collection will be addressed in the Data Management

Plan. Applicants should clearly articulate how the project director (PD) and co-PDs plan to manage and disseminate the data generated by the project. The DMP will be considered during the merit review process (see Part V § B of this RFA, Part III § 3.1 of the Application Guide and NIFA’s Data Management Plan).

b. Applicants are to demonstrate willingness to share information with researchers, evaluators, practitioners, and other interested parties, and include a plan for dissemination of results through a well written DMP.

4. Partners and Collaboration with one or more local partner organizations to achieve at least one of the hunger-free communities’ goal. (See Steps for a Hunger-Free Community).

a. Partners and Collaborators: Applicants for CFP and PP awards are encouraged to seek and create partnerships with public or private, nonprofit, or for-profit entities, including links with academic institutions (including minority serving colleges and universities), and/or other appropriate professionals, community-based organizations, and local government entities.

b. Only the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements. Project partners and collaborators do not need to meet the eligibility requirements. When planning collaborations, see Part III § B of this RFA.

c. Award recipients may sub-award to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the successful completion of the project. See Part IV § C of this RFA.

Applicants for the CFPCGP must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – duplicate or multiple submissions are not allowed. NIFA will disqualify both applications if an applicant submits duplicate or multiple submissions. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help applicants understand the Federal awards process.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Match is required for PP and CFP applications. PP and CFP applicants are to provide matching on a dollar-for-dollar basis for all federal funds requested at the time the application is submitted.

Matching funds must be accurately documented for all project years at the time the application in the R&R Budget and SF-424 forms. Matching funds may include cash and/or in-kind contributions, including third-party in-kind contributions, fairly evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or services. In-kind contributions are donations of goods, services, or time.

The matching funds, or non-federal share of the funding may come from state government, local government, other non-profit entities, or private sources. Federal money cannot be used to match unless it is expressly authorized to be used for this purpose. Examples of qualifying matching contributions may include direct costs such as: rent for office space used exclusively for the funded project; duplication or postage costs; and staff time from an entity other than the applicant for job training or nutrition education.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application Applicants must apply to this RFA electronically; no other method or response is accepted. The electronic application for this RFA and additional resources are available on Grants.gov and Grants 101. Table 5 provides instructions on how to obtain an electronic application. Part III of the NIFA Grants Application Guide contains detailed information regarding the Grants.gov registration process. The NIFA Grants Application Guide is contained in the specific funding opportunity package, or a sample of the guide can be found here. When applying for a NIFA award, it is important to reference the version of the guide that is included in the specific funding opportunity application package.

Table 5: Steps to Obtain Application Materials

Steps Action

Step One: Register New Users to Grants.gov must register early with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application (Register Here).

Step Two:

Download Adobe

Download and Install Adobe Reader (see Adobe Software Compatibility for basic system requirements)

Step Three: Find Application

Using this funding opportunity number USDA-NIFA-CFP-009321 search for application here: Opportunity Package.

Step Four: Assess Readiness

Contact an AR prior to starting an application to assess your organization’s readiness to submit an electronic application.

Table 6: Help and Resources

Grants.gov Support NIFA Support Grants.gov Online Support Telephone support: 800-518-4726 Toll-Free or 606- 545-5035 Email support: support@grants.gov Self-service customer-based support: Grants.gov iPortalgrantapplicationquestions@usda.gov Key Information: Customer service business Hours 24/7, except federal holidays.

Email:

grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

Key Information: Business hours:

Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m.

ET, except federal holidays

B. Content and Form of the Application The Application Guide is part of the corresponding application package for this RFA. The RFA overrides the Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. NIFA will accept subsequent submissions to an application until the application deadline. However, applicants that do not meet the application requirements, or include partial applications, risk being excluded from NIFA’s review. NIFA will assign a proposal number to all applications that https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html/ https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-grantsgov-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/ https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-grantsgov-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://get.adobe.com/reader/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/search-opportunity-package.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants mailto:grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ mailto:grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-grantsgov-application-guide meet the requirements of this RFA. Applicants must refer to the proposal number when corresponding with NIFA. Table 7 outlines other key instructions for applicants.

Table 7: Key Application Instructions

Instruction References (All references are to the Application

Guide)

Attachments must be in a portable document format (PDF) format.

Part IV

Check the manifest of submitted files to verify attachments are in the correct format.

Part IV

Conduct an administrative review of the application before submission.

Part IV

Follow the submission instructions. Part V

Provide an accurate email address, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R.

Part V

Contact the Grants.gov helpdesk for technical support and keep a record of the correspondence.

N/A

Contact NIFA if applicant does not receive correspondence from NIFA regarding an application within 30 days of the application deadline.

N/A

SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet. See Part V of the Application Guide for the required certifications and assurances.

SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s). See Part V of the Application Guide.

R&R Other Project Information Form. See Part V of the Application Guide.

1. Field 7. Project Summary (PS)/Abstract. The PS must show how the project goals align with the project goals of the CFPGP See Part V of the Application Guide for instructions and suggested templates.

2. Field 8. The Project Narrative Please Note: The project narrative is not to exceed 15 pages and may be written as 10 pages of text and 5 pages of tables and figures or tables and figures embedded in text for a maximum of 15 pages. Spacing required is 1.5 spacing. The font size for project narrative and for all text on tables and figures are to be no smaller than 11 points, in Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri. The page limits outlined here ensure fair and equitable competition.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html

A. T & TA Projects The Project Narrative for T & TA Projects should include the heading followed by a response for each of the points noted below.

a. Community Food Security Issues and Programs. The proposal should provide a succinct description of community food security issues, programs, and the scope of involvement of the T&TA applicant. Experience in using social determinants of health and systems approaches to reduce food insecurity in limited resourced communities should be noted as should pertinent information regarding demographic and geographic characteristics of the area(s) or type(s) of organizations previously served and/or to be served.

b. Organizations Involved. List all collaborating organizations and individuals who will be assisting and their respective roles in the provision of training and technical assistance. Provide documentation with letters of support showing commitment from organizations and individuals who have agreed to collaborate if the proposal is funded by NIFA (see Key Organizational Support below). This is critical as T&TA becomes a one stop referral for all T&TA needs of applicants.

c. Project Goals and Objectives. List the goals and objectives of the project and a justification for the goals in terms of the types of services that will be provided.

d. Activities to Achieve the Goals. Discuss how the goals will be achieved. Provide a systematic description of the approach by which the goals will be accomplished. A chart may be added to outline specific timeframes for activities leading to the accomplishment of goals and objectives.

e. Timeline. On an annual basis, identify the major milestones that will indicate progress toward achieving the project goals and objectives. Provide a standardized timeline or systematic description of the approach for accomplishing these major outcomes. A chart may be added to outline specific timeframes for activities leading to the accomplishment of goals and objectives.

f. Work plan. The proposed work plan can be for a period of up to four years.

Training and technical assistance should be scheduled so that potential applicant organizations will have ample opportunity to take advantage of the assistance offered with sufficient time to construct and submit a CFP proposal in the foreseeable near future. T&TA for existing grantees should be timed so that grantees can utilize the assistance provided to improve their projects during the grant period.

Work plan should include a feasible plan to increase projects from underserved communities and states.

g. Evaluation. T&TA proposals should contain an internal evaluation component to provide enough timely information over the course of the project to improve the training and technical assistance. A plan for the dissemination of project results should be included.

h. Sustain CFP-type activities. The Project Narrative for T&TA Projects does not have to address self-sustainability as such projects are not expected to become self-sustaining following the expenditure of Federal funds. However, T&TA Project applicants may want to address how their training and assistance activities will help sustain CFP-type activities in future years in the areas to be served.

B. Planning Projects (PP) The Project Narrative for PP should include the heading followed by the response for each of the points noted below.

a. The Community to Be Involved in the Project and the Needs to Be Addressed.

Identify and succinctly describe your approach to determining the critical elements and needs of the local food economy or food system, including demographics, income, and geographic characteristics of the area or community to be served. It is strongly recommended that assets of low-income communities be included in the analysis. The needs addressed should directly relate to project goals and objectives described below. It is recommended that this section be no more than one and one-half pages.

b. The Organizations and Communities Involved in the Project. List the organizations and communities to be involved in carrying out the proposed PP and the segments of the local food economy or system they link. Include a description of the relevant experience of each community group or organization, including the applicant organization, that will be involved, and any related project history.

Proposals should demonstrate extensive community linkages and coalitions. Planning Projects should address how the proposed project assists applicants, eligible entities, and others in understanding the primary goals of the CFPCGP which are to: (1)(a) meet the food needs of low-income individuals through food distribution, community outreach to assist in participation in Federally assisted nutrition programs, or improving access to food as part of a comprehensive service; (b) increase the self-reliance of low-income communities in providing for their own food needs; and (c) promote comprehensive responses to local food access, farm, and nutrition issues; or

(2) meet specific State, local, or neighborhood food and agriculture needs for (a) equipment necessary for the efficient operation of a project; (b) planning for long-term solutions; or (c) the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers; It is recommended that this section be no more than two pages. Letters from the key organizations involved in the project, acknowledging their support and contributions, must be provided. A limited number of other support letters – such as those from farmers or schools – where appropriate, are encouraged to provide evidence of broad community involvement.

All support letters should be attached in Field 12, Other Attachments (See Part IV, B.3.c., below, Key Organization Support).

c. Project Goals and Objectives. List the outcome-based goals and objectives of the project and a justification for the goals in terms of the identified need(s). Be specific.

Ensure that low-income residents are actively engaged in planning project goals, objectives, and outcomes. Also include a description of low-income input and decision-making in the formulation of the goals and objectives. Discuss how significant the low-income food security issues are that will be addressed by the proposed project; an informative description of the community, its characteristics, assets, and needs; discuss how specifically the community named in this description will benefit from the proposed project. It is recommended that this section be no more than two pages.

d. Activities to Achieve the Goals. Discuss how the goals and intended outcomes will be achieved. Discuss how the proposed project outcomes will be realized by providing a systematic description of how the most important steps or milestones will be accomplished. In addition to these descriptions, it is recommended that a table of up to three pages be provided with implementation details for these activities, including: (a) specific steps and achievements in planning and implementation; (b) timetables for milestones; and, as relevant, (c) expected numbers of participants involved in each step of the process. It is recommended that this section be no more than two pages, although a table may be added as an additional page (within the total 15-page limit) to relate specific activities to goals and outcomes.

e. Relationship to Program Objectives. Discuss how project outcomes will address the objectives of the CFPCGP as described in Part I., B., and how the project will make a difference for the low-income community. It is recommended that this section be no more than one page.

C. Community Food Projects (CFPs)

The Project Narrative for Community Foods Projects Grants must include the following headings followed by the response for each of the points noted below.

a. The Community to Be Involved in the Project and the Needs to Be Addressed

Identify and succinctly describe the critical elements and needs of the local food economy or food system, including demographics, income, and geographic characteristics of the area or community to be served. Beyond a recitation of statistics, applications should describe local capabilities and assets, such as those identified in a community food assessment, and involvement of low-income communities in the context of project activities and operations.

Most relevant is an…