The Mercer County Office of Food Security has extended the application deadline until April 22 for nonprofits seeking grants to help tackle hunger by eliminating the barriers that prevent Mercer residents from accessing a stable diet of nutritious food.
There are three grant programs available: the Food Security Innovation Pilot Grant; the Mercer County Food Hub Pilot Grant; and the Produce, Meat and Dairy Purchasing Pilot Grant for organizations serving food-insecure communities in Mercer County.
The Food Security Innovation Pilot Grant will allocate $200,000 to support eligible nonprofits as they introduce innovative technology-driven and consumer-focused strategies to improve food access, with a particular focus on eliminating food deserts.
The Mercer County Food Hub Pilot Grant will award a single grant of $250,000 to a single nonprofit to support the establishment of a Food Hub. This centralized facility will streamline the distribution of fresh and nutritious foods while partnering with social service providers to connect residents with comprehensive wrap-around services. The Food Hub can increase efficiency by reducing duplicative efforts and helping to coordinate the work of food security nonprofits throughout the county.
The Produce, Meat, and Dairy Purchasing Pilot Grant will provide $205,000 in direct financial assistance to established food pantries, nonprofits, and community organizations to purchase and distribute essential fresh nutrient-rich foods to Mercer County residents in need.
Proposals for all the grant programs are due by noon on Tuesday, April 22. Information for the proposals can be found on the County’s website here.
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson said the Office of Food Security was established last October to direct funding to agencies, partners, and organizations that are dedicated to fighting hunger in Mercer County. Funding for the grants was made possible under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
