2026 California Nutrition Incentive Program
🏛 CA Department of Food and Agriculture (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for California community organizations preparing climate resilience projects in disadvantaged areas. Applicants must be local government agencies, tribal nations, tribal organizations, or nonprofits serving low-income and disadvantaged communities. Tribal applicants and those in disadvantaged unincorporated areas receive priority. At least one co-applicant is required. Planning activities must address community priorities and directly benefit the target community.
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Program description
The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Office of Farm to Fork is currently accepting proposals for the 2026 California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) competitive grant solicitation. Authority for CNIP is derived from California Food and Agriculture Code Section 49010-49016. CNIP was established to encourage the purchase and consumption of fresh California grown fruits, vegetables, and nuts by nutrition benefit clients. For the 2026 CNIP Request for Proposal (RFP), CDFA is seeking project proposals from eligible entities to distribute nutrition incentives to shoppers using their CalFresh (SNAP) benefits to purchase fresh, California grown fruits and vegetables at direct marketing outlets (Certified Farmers’ Markets, Certified Mobile Farmers’ Market, Community Supported Agriculture programs, and farm stands) and small businesses in California. CalFresh 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 CalFresh and experiences high rates of diet-related diseases, will be prioritized. CDFA reserves the right to fund a portion of the selected proposals, in whole or in part, without further competition. If project funding and timeline allows, CDFA will combine selected proposals into a unified state application for submission to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). Eligibility is limited to the following entities or combination of eligible entities: a. Certified Farmers’ Markets authorized by USDA to accept SNAP benefits b. Community Supported Agriculture Programs (CSAs) authorized by USDA to accept SNAP benefits c. Certified mobile farmers’ market authorized by USDA to accept SNAP benefits d. Farm Stands authorized by USDA to accept SNAP benefits e. Small businesses authorized by USDA to accept SNAP benefits such as retail stores f. Non-profit organizations that are applying on behalf of organizations that fall into categories (a), (b), (c), (d) and/or (e) Certified Farmers’ Markets are described in Food and Agriculture Code Section 47004, Community-Supported Agriculture programs are defined in Section 47060, Farm Stands are defined in Section 47050, and Certified Mobile Farmers’ Markets are defined in Section 47007. Small Businesses are defined by California Government Code Section Government Code Section 14837 (d) (1) (A): “Small business” means an independently owned and operated business that is not dominant in its field of operation, the principal office of which is located in California, the officers of which are domiciled in California, and which, together with affiliates, has 100 or fewer employees, and average annual gross receipts of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) or less over the previous three years, or is a manufacturer, as defined in subdivision (c), with 100 or fewer employees. Commencing January 1, 2019, the average annual gross receipts threshold shall be fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000).”
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Co-applicant letters or MOUs demonstrating partnership
- Community engagement plan and documentation
- Project description and planning work scope
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Evidence of serving disadvantaged/low-income communities
Program contact
- 📧 cafarmtofork@cdfa.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-900-5020
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
Local government agencies, tribal nations, nonprofits, and other community organizations in California. At least one co-applicant is required. Tribal communities and disadvantaged unincorporated areas are prioritized.
What is the deadline and can I request technical assistance?
Deadline is September 30, 2026. Request technical assistance by July 31, 2026 through the TA Application Request Form.
What planning activities are eligible?
Community engagement, policy updates, climate action planning, partnership building, feasibility studies, and developing governance structures. Activities must prepare communities for future implementation grants.
Is cost-sharing required?
No, cost-sharing is not required for this planning grant.
How much funding can I receive?
Awards are up to $300,000 to support planning activities that prepare communities for implementation projects.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Prioritize developing a Collaborative Governance Structure; this is strongly encouraged for applicants planning future implementation grants.
- Include at least one strong co-applicant; the application explicitly requires co-applicants.
- If you're a tribal applicant or serve a disadvantaged unincorporated community, request technical assistance by July 31, 2026.
- Design planning activities that directly benefit your community and address local priorities identified through engagement.
- Show how your planning activities prepare for and align with future TCC Implementation Grants or similar programs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applicants propose planning work that doesn't clearly support future implementation projects. Weak co-applicant partnerships reduce competitiveness. Insufficient community engagement and input in the planning process weakens applications.
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