Search Through Food Grants for Nonprofits in the U.S.

Food Grants for Nonprofits in the United States

200+

Available grants

$22.1M

Total funding amount

$15K

Median grant amount

Food grants support nonprofits in addressing hunger, improving food security, and reducing waste. The following grants fund programs like meal distribution, food pantries, and nutrition education, empowering communities to combat food insecurity.


Search Instrumentl's Food Grants Database


Discover 200+ grant opportunities for food programs, with $22.1M in resources. Instrumentl enables nonprofits to access private, government, and corporate funding, with tools for deadline tracking and funder insights to tackle hunger effectively.

Last updated: August 4, 2025. Next update: October 5, 2025.

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Grant Insights : Food Grants for Nonprofits

Grant Availability

How common are grants in this category?

Common — grants in this category appear regularly across funding sources.

200+ Food grants for nonprofits grants for nonprofits in the United States, from private foundations to corporations seeking to fund grants for nonprofits.

65 Food grants for nonprofits over $25K in average grant size

47 Food grants for nonprofits over $50K in average grant size

59 Food grants for nonprofits supporting general operating expenses

200+ Food grants for nonprofits supporting programs / projects

600+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Food Access & Hunger

400+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Nutrition & Healthy Eating

Grant Deadline Distribution

Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for Food grants for Nonprofits?

Most grants are due in the first quarter.

Q1
27.7%
Q2
22.2%
Q3
26.6%
Q4
23.5%

Typical Funding Amounts

What's the typical grant amount funded for Food Grants for Nonprofits?

Grants are most commonly $15,000.

Min.
Median
Average
Max.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who typically funds Food for Nonprofits grants?

Food grants are typically funded by federal government agencies (U.S. Department of Agriculture) or state and local programs supporting food security and agricultural initiatives (SNAP Education). Private organizations (Feeding America) and large companies in the food industry (Walmart, Whole Foods) also provide these grants. Local community foundations, regional food banks, and cooperative programs may fund grassroots initiatives.

What types of nonprofits can qualify for Food for Nonprofits grants?

Food grants are available to nonprofits focusing on hunger relief, food security, nutrition education, urban farming, or sustainable agriculture. Other nonprofits working in similar domains, such as running food pantries, meal delivery programs, urban farming projects, or food recovery efforts, may also be eligible. Some food grants prioritize programs serving low-income families, children, seniors, or underserved communities.

Based on Instrumentl’s live grant database for food, grant deadlines are most common in Q1, accounting for 27.7% of all submission dates. The slowest period for new grant opportunities in this category falls in Q2, making it a less competitive time for preparation and strategic planning.

Why are Food for Nonprofits grants offered, and what do they aim to achieve?

Food grants are designed to help improve access to healthy food, reduce food insecurity, and support sustainable food systems. Funders want to provide resources for eco-friendly agricultural development, improved food access or distribution, and programs bridging nutrition gaps in underserved communities.

Funding for food grants varies widely, with award amounts ranging from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $6,975,660. Based on Instrumentl’s data, the median grant amount for this category is $15,000, while the average grant awarded is $163,766. Understanding these funding trends can help nonprofits set realistic expectations when applying.

What strategies can nonprofits use to improve their success rate for Food for Nonprofits grants?

To improve the chances of being awarded food grants, nonprofits should:

  • Demonstrate community needs –Use data to show food insecurity challenges in your community and how your project will address them.
  • Develop clear plans – Show how food will be distributed and the expected impact.
  • Build strong partnerships – Collaborate with local food banks, farms, or community groups to strengthen your application.
  • Focus on sustainability – Funders often prefer programs that offer long-term food security solutions over short-term fixes.

Need help writing a strong funding request? Follow our step-by-step guide to crafting compelling grant proposals.

How can Instrumentl simplify the grant application process for Food for Nonprofits grants?

Instrumentl simplifies the process of applying for food grants by offering an intuitive platform that helps nonprofits discover relevant funding opportunities, track deadlines, and analyze funder-giving patterns. The platform's automated alerts ensure users never miss a deadline, while detailed funder insights help organizations tailor their applications to align with grantor priorities.

Streamline your grant management process with our workflow automation tools.