Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance

Background
The Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance (CCG) program is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program aims to enhance food supply chain resiliency by providing competitive grants to eligible organizations for investments in cold storage and distribution equipment. The goal is to improve access to high-quality, nutrient-dense foods for vulnerable populations, thereby supporting healthier families and communities in alignment with the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Grant Details
The selected grant recipient(s) will manage a subaward program aimed at enhancing cold storage capabilities within food assistance operations. Responsibilities include:
- Designing and administering a competitive Cold Chain subaward program.
- Developing and issuing subaward solicitations.
- Conducting outreach to engage stakeholders.
- Recruiting and training application reviewers.
- Managing the subaward review and selection process.
- Ensuring compliance with federal requirements.
- Monitoring subrecipient performance.
- Collecting project data for reporting purposes.

Eligible activities include purchasing cold storage equipment such as refrigerators, freezers, refrigerated vehicles, and ancillary supplies necessary for food assistance operations.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants must be domestic entities located within the U.S., including nonprofit corporations with 501(c)(3) status. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to implement a competitive subaward program that funds projects meeting the goals of the CCG program. Subrecipients must have been operational for at least two years, possess necessary infrastructure for equipment installation, and demonstrate organizational stability.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for this grant is expected to be two years, starting approximately on September 30, 2026, and ending on September 29, 2028.

Grant Value
Approximately $7.5 million is available under this solicitation, with individual grant awards ranging from $2 million to $7.5 million. The anticipated number of awards is between 1 to 4.

Place of Performance
The grant activities will be performed across the United States, including all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.