The race for a slice of Seattle's Food Equity Fund pie is on, with local organizations fighting food injustice now able to throw their hats into the ring for a part of the $2.3 million in grants available. This initiative, fueled by the Sweetened Beverage Tax, aims to address the imbalance in the city's food landscape and is welcoming applications until the March 19 deadline, as reported by the Front Porch.
The fund primarily targets projects led by communities who bear the brunt of food and health inequalities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as immigrants, refugees, low-income individuals, youth, and the elderly. As detailed in the city announcement, the Food Equity Fund channeled $2.3 million to 37 community-led ventures last year, among them Look, Listen & Learn TV, Wa Na Wari, the yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective, and the First Tongan Senior Nutrition Association. A diverse array of initiatives such as new greenhouses, food justice leadership development, and storytelling & cultural preservation programs are all eligible for funding this go-around.
Organizations eager to apply are encouraged to join one of the three virtual information sessions hosted by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods in the coming weeks. These sessions are designed to clarify the application process, and participants can receive interpretation services if they give a week's notice. Additionally, potential applicants can tap into open office hours or arrange one-on-one meetings with the Food Equity Fund project managers to refine their proposals before the submission deadline.
Once all applications are in, a Grant Review Panel composed of local community leaders with a deep understanding of racial equity, food justice, and health disparities will roll up their sleeves to evaluate the submissions. Organizations will be informed of their fate in late June, following April and May reviews. Interested parties can find further information and application materials on the city's dedicated web page, or connect with the Food Equity Fund staff via email or phone for more assistance.
