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Grants for food security projects and subsistence equipment available through March 30

Stephanie Maltarich/KDLG

Last month, the state’s Division of Agriculture opened up a program to fund purchases of subsistence equipment and other tools to grow or store food. The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, where there is higher food insecurity, will be given priority in the program.

The grants can go toward things like fishing nets, freezers, smokers and ammunition. Funds are also available for vacuum packing or canning equipment.
The federally funded program, called “Microgrants for Food Security,” aims to help people grow, harvest or store food.
Individuals can apply for up to $5,000, and Tribes and organizations that directly address food insecurity like food banks and churches, can apply for up to $10,000.

Funds can also cover labor costs and educational programs. For example, people can receive funds to buy or build composting units or towers to grow leafy vegetables, attend a gardening course, or develop an online website.
The state will also cover some shipping costs. In rural areas like the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, that amount is up to $1,500.

So far, state officials say they have received over 2,400 grant applications. They are ranked by areas of geographic necessity — so the more food insecurity in a census area, the more likely it is that grants from that area will be accepted. The state ranked areas based on data from Feeding America and SNAP. The Kusilvak and Bethel census areas are ranked as the most food insecure and most in need of this aid in the state.

The state will also take into account how many people would benefit from each grant.

Applications for the food security micro-grant program are open now and close at 5 p.m. on March 30. For more information, call 907-761-3885.

Contact the author at izzy@kdlg.org or 907-842-2200.
Copyright 2022 KDLG 670AM. To see more, visit KDLG 670AM.

Updated: March 30, 2022 at 12:15 PM AKDT
This story was originally published to the KYUK website on March 21, 2022.
Updated: March 21, 2022 at 2:25 PM AKDT
This story was originally written for residents in Bristol Bay. The story has been revised to include information specific to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
Isabelle Ross