Applications are available for grants to help family farmers and small retailers expand access to healthy foods in low-income and underserved areas of Colorado.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture will award small food business recovery and resilience grants of up to $50,000 though its community food access program.

“This grant aims to lower prices of healthy food and increase its availability in low-income and underserved areas of Colorado by helping small food retailers and small family farms invest in their capacity to provide healthy food,” said Mickey Davis, manager of the community food access programs.

“Eligible businesses can apply for funding to cover the purchase of new cold storage, display cases to carry fresh food, point of sale machines that accept EBT cards, farming equipment, mobile grocery stores, delivery trucks, operating expenses and more,” Davis said.

Farmers, farm stands, farmers markets, community supported agriculture programs, carnicerias, corner stores and other businesses could be eligible for grants.

Applications for the first round of the grants will be accepted through 5 p.m. Nov. 7. A second round of grants is projected to open in early 2024. If funds remain, a third round could open later in 2024. Up to $6 million total funds will be distributed.

The community food access program and small food business recovery and resilience grant were established by state legislation using state and local fiscal recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The rules of the grant program were developed with extensive feedback from an advisory committee and stakeholders across Colorado.

More information and assistance in submitting applications is available by emailing CDA_CFA@state.co.us.

Two virtual information sessions for applicants are scheduled for 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 3 and 26.

For more information about the community food access program — including more information about the grants, registration links for the informational sessions and a full list of eligible expenses — visit the website located at ag.colorado.gov/CFA.