Committee Develops Criteria for Food Access Grants in Toledo Communities

At the recent Toledo Finance, Debt & Budget Oversight Committee meeting, a significant focus was placed on enhancing food access in underserved neighborhoods through a new funding initiative aimed at small-scale farmers and community gardens. The committee discussed the criteria for prioritizing applications, emphasizing projects that address food insecurity and serve areas identified as food deserts by USDA data.

Key criteria for funding include projects that have been operational for at least a year, or for new initiatives, a clear sustainability plan. The committee aims to support efforts that not only grow food but also improve distribution methods, allowing for expenses related to farm infrastructure, tools, and even labor costs to be covered.

The initiative is designed to be comprehensive, with allowable expenses ranging from farm inputs like seeds and fertilizers to marketing materials and educational workshops. The goal is to empower local farmers and enhance community food systems, with a timeline set to finalize details this fall, review applications in winter, and kick off project implementation by spring 2026.

This proactive approach reflects Toledo's commitment to addressing food access challenges and supporting sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring that local communities can thrive through improved food distribution and availability.