WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering $7.5 million in grants to expand refrigeration and cold-storage capacity across emergency food networks, enabling food banks and other assistance providers to distribute more fresh and frozen products.
The Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance Program will finance equipment used to temporarily store, package and distribute meat, eggs, dairy, produce and other minimally processed foods.
Selected nonprofit organizations will administer competitive subaward programs supporting cold-storage investments within the food assistance supply chain.
Individual subawards can reach $200,000 and cover equipment purchases, delivery, installation and necessary supporting supplies. Recipients must contribute a 10% cash cost share.
The nonprofit administrators will also oversee the application process and provide technical guidance to organizations seeking to expand cold-storage capacity in consumer-facing food assistance operations.
“This funding will give food banks the infrastructure to deliver more meat, eggs, dairy, produce, and other whole foods from American farmers and ranchers to families in need,” Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins indicated that the grants are intended to increase storage capacity for domestically produced food, including meat and other proteins.
The program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and aligns with the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, according to the USDA.
Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on October 1, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.