Time Limited Grant Opportunities

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Office of Farm to Fork is accepting proposals for the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) Expansion competitive grant solicitation. CNIP was established to encourage the purchase and consumption of fresh California grown fruits, vegetables, and nuts by nutrition benefit clients.

For the 2025 CNIP Expansion – WIC, WIC FMNP and SFMNP, CDFA is seeking project proposals from qualified entities to support nutrition incentive shoppers and/or to distribute nutrition incentives to shoppers using a) WIC fruit and vegetable benefits, b) WIC FMNP, and/or c) SFMNP benefits to purchase California-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at authorized Certified Farmers’ Markets. Qualified shoppers should be able to receive the incentive at the time of purchase.

Projects that reach low-access areas and low-income populations, particularly communities where a large proportion of the population is eligible for nutrition benefits (such as CalFresh, WIC, SFMNP) and experiences high rates of diet-related diseases, will be prioritized.

The maximum grant duration is one (1) year. Grant funds can be used beginning April 1, 2025 and cannot be expended after December 31, 2025.

Starting in 2025, SFMNP will only be distributed electronically through the SFMNP Farmers’ Market Card, and WIC FMNP plans to transition to electronic distribution using a Farmers’ Market Card or similar solution to transact benefits. In order to accept these benefits, farmers will need a smart device and access to the internet and participants will be issued physical cards to be scanned at the market.

Continue to match and distribute CNIP incentives to WIC, WIC FMNP and/or SFMNP shoppers at authorized farmers markets, as well as supporting activities (such as outreach and marketing, assistance to farmers using the new SFMNP and WIC FMNP electronic software, etc.)

Track 2: Support and Technical Assistance ONLY (no incentives)

Provide support and technical assistance to CA-grown fruits and vegetables vendors selling at farmers market and Senior and WIC shoppers using their electronic benefits.

This year, applicants may only apply for one WIC, WIC FMNP and/or SFMNP season to allow for learning and changes due to the e-transition this year.

Match

A match is not required, but is encouraged. Cost sharing will be considered during the review.

Please be aware that this is a reimbursement-based grant program.