February 2, 2023

Para leer este comunicado de prensa en español, oprima aqui

Salt Lake City is launching its first-ever Food Equity Microgrant program to increase resident access to fresh, healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant food.

The grant application is now live and open to individuals, local businesses, and certain community organizations. The initiative is designed to support community-led projects in line with the recommendations coming out of the City’s Resident Food Equity Advisors’ report released in 2021.

“Salt Lake City is committed to listening and responding to the ideas, dreams, and suggestions of our residents,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “The Resident Food Equity Advisors is an example of that. They gave us their insight and recommendations on how to strengthen our food system and this microgrant program is one of the ways we’re responding to their report. I can’t wait to see which projects we can support in the community with this funding.”

Administered by the City’s Sustainability Department, the microgrant program has a total budget of $35,000. Individuals may apply for grants of $250 to grow or raise their own food and community grants up to $5,000 are available for organizations.

The four main categories of projects grantees can use the funding for include: 

• Growing Food – projects that support expanding opportunities and access to growing more food locally.
• Inclusive Outreach & Communications – projects that support accessibility and availability of information about food resources to groups that experience challenges with traditional informational outlets.
• Dignified Food Access – projects that support improving access to healthy and relevant food opportunities that center and respect the agency and choice of individuals.
• Healthy Food Environments – projects that support the availability and accessibility of healthy, fresh foods and enhance the quality and character of the food environments near where people live.

Projects led by and serving those who identify as members of groups that have historically lacked access to food and food resources will be prioritized for funding. Applications are available and accepted in any language. Individuals and organizations may submit applications through the online form or through a variety of other methods including a paper form, phone call, video chat, in-person meeting, or an audio or video recording.

Applications are open through March 5, 2023.

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Interested residents and organizations can visit the program page to learn more and access the application here. 

For more information on the Resident Food Equity Advisors Program, visit slcgreen.com.

See a summary of their recommendations here.