King Conservation District’s Regional Food System Grant Program was initiated to provide a catalyst for making local food production more ecologically and economically sustainable. The program funds projects that contribute to the economic viability of local farmers, encourage new farmers, expand acreage in food production, improve food access, and increase demand for King County farm products.
Eligible applicants
Individual farmers, producer networks, marketing cooperatives, farmers markets, businesses, schools, special districts, nonprofit organizations, tribes, and jurisdictions within KCD’s service area. Applicants do not have to be located in the service area as long as the project is located in the service area. KCD’s service area includes 34 cities and all of unincorporated King County. The cities of Enumclaw, Federal Way, Skykomish, Milton, and Pacific are outside KCD’s boundaries.
Ineligible projects
- Land and easement purchases
- Easing barriers that the applicant can remove or modify as a matter of changing its own policies
- Ongoing program activities
- Lobbying
- Fundraising
- Work that KCD could perform directly or contractually as part of its scheduled work
- Projects that do not demonstrate benefits to multiple producers and/or stakeholders
Match
Match is required in the form of in-kind, cash, or both from applicants and/or partners. Cash match is not required and there is no minimum matching amount.
Partnerships
Partnerships are not required for eligibility, but are strongly encouraged. In the absence of partnerships, applicants must demonstrate the project’s relationship to existing producer or consumer networks such as food hubs.
Local Food Initiative Strategies and Funding Priorities
Projects must carry out strategies of the King County Local Food Initiative described in Appendix A and B of the King County Local Food Initiative Report. Additional points will be given to projects that address:
- Infrastructure
- Consumer Demand
- Land Access
- Food Safety
- Farm Business Management
Equity and Environment Goals
Regional Food System grant applicants should be prepared to implement their project in line with KCD’s partnership with the City of Seattle’s Equity and Environment Agenda goals. See more details here. Projects must address at least one of the following:
- Healthy Environments for All
- Jobs, Local Economies, and Youth Pathways
- Environmental Narrative and Community Leadership