SLC.gov

Aug. 11, 2026

Mayor Erin Mendenhall and the Salt Lake City Sustainability Department are pleased to announce the groups that have been awarded funding through the 2026 SLC Food Microgrant program. With high costs, inflation, and cuts to the SNAP program making affording fresh, healthy, culturally relevant food a challenge for many, this grant comes at an important time for both individual and organizational recipients. 

“Salt Lakers know what foods their families eat, what grows well in their neighborhoods, and what their communities need,” said Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “These grants put resources directly behind that knowledge—whether it’s a backyard garden, a community growing project or culturally relevant food that can be harder to find or afford. The City doesn’t have to invent solutions when so many of them are already growing in our neighborhoods.” 

Community groups engaged in projects addressing growing food, inclusive outreach, dignified food access, and healthy food environments were selected for $1,000 – $5,000 of funding. The following 10 groups were awarded this year:  

·         Albert’s Produce – A farmer in the International Rescue Committee New Roots program 

·        Allred Greens Family Farm – A farm started by graduates of the Wasatch Community Gardens Green Team program 

·         Community Health Centers, Inc. – The Rose Park Clinic Garden  

·        International Rescue Committee’s New Roots Program in Utah – Glendale Farm activation to provide food for refugee community and neighborhood  

·        New Seed Farmers – A group of Muslim mothers growing food and seeds at the Glendale Farm site  

·         Rose Park Bee Club – Affordable and accessible beekeeping education and equipment  

·        University of Utah Center for Community Nutrition: Food, Movement, and You – Palmer Court Garden  

·         University of Utah Farmers Market – Supporting a partnership with IRC New Roots 

·         Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition – Culturally relevant gardening education program  

·         WasteLess Solutions – Consumable food rescue and redistribution efforts to food assistance programs 

Additionally, 112 individual residents or households were awarded $250 each to support their own home food production efforts such as vegetable and herb gardens, fruit trees, food preservation, backyard chickens, and beekeeping.

According to the Resident Food Access Survey commissioned by the Sustainability Department in 2022, nearly 30% of Salt Lake City residents may be considered food insecure and more than 40% cannot access the types of food they prefer, particularly healthy foods. This grant program helps fill that gap. Over 90% of household grant recipients described themselves to be at or below the median household income for the city.

The program disbursed a total of $56,540 in funding, making grants of $250 to households and up to $5,000 to organizations advancing community-led projects aligned with recommendations from the City’s Resident Food Equity Advisors Program. The program received funding from the City Council in FY26 for $50,000 with additional support from Okta through the Solar Stewards donation agreement.

“Whether it’s using the funds to install drip irrigation and conserve water, preserve home grown food, keep chickens, or buy plants, these grants provide that small ‘seed’ that grows into something much bigger,” said Maria Schwarz, Sustainability Program Manager. “Over three-quarters of recipients say they share their produce with neighbors, friends, and family. And every organization we funded this year is working to support healthy food access for our community members who need it most.”

See more about this year’s grant program and funded community organization projects at https://www.slc.gov/sustainability/food-systems-microgrant-program/.