Project Summary or Project Description : Summary of major activities that will occur, including delivery mechanism(s).
The Iowa Food Insecurity Infrastructure fund will assist eligible nonprofit food banks and nonprofit food pantry networks that have experienced economic hardship build, expand, or rehabilitate facilities to enable them to increase the amount of food, especially fresh food, distributed to local food pantries throughout Iowa. $5 million is available through this fund. Only nonprofit food banks that are bulk food aggregators or wholesale-like distributors that replenish food pantries throughout Iowa and nonprofit food pantry networks that are primary distribution points to serve individuals and families seeking food assistance are eligible for assistance. All project activities must be located in Iowa. Funding may be used only for vertical infrastructure projects, which is defined as new build construction or new expansion or rehabilitation of an existing facility . Activities eligible for funding include: · Construction costs, including labor and materials,
· Site acquisition
· Site development
· Building permit fees
· Engineering and architectural services
· Industrial refrigeration equipment, including installation
· Racks and shelving
The maximum award under this program will be 25% of the total project costs, capped at $2 million. Projects currently in progress may be considered for assistance only if the applicant can demonstrate a need for financial assistance and/or project expansion and compliance with applicable 2 CFR 200 requirements (the Uniform Guidance) including, but not limited to, procurement standards set out in the Uniform Guidance.
Funds cannot be used to replace already existing or pledged funding.
Who is Eligible?
A food bank or food pantry network, meaning a non-profit warehouse and distribution center where food is solicited, received, safely inventoried, and distributed to local pantry partners. A food bank has the capacity to distribute millions of pounds of grocery product every year.
Who is NOT Eligible?
A food pantry, meaning an individual site that distributes bags or boxes of food directly to those in need who reside in a specified area. Food pantries are supplied with food by partnering with a local food bank or pantry network, receiving donations from local grocery manufacturers, retailers, and food drives.
