Dane County Now Accepting Applications for 2024 Partners in Equity Food Project Grant Program

January 25, 2024
Ariana Vruwink, 608-267-8823
County Executive

Today, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced that community-based organizations can now apply for the Partners in Equity (PIE) Food Project Grant, which was created to encourage the innovative development of projects that advance equity and access in local food systems across Dane County through educational and outreach services.

Vulnerable populations saw food insecurity and other needs rise during the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent inflationary pressures in the general economy and supply chain. While the Dane County community continues to respond and recover from these impacts on its local food system, Dane County government is looking for projects that will provide the greatest impacts in strengthening the community’s food system and cultivating community engagement and access.

“The Partners in Equity Food Grant Program creates opportunities for Dane County government to partner with local organizations on making food more accessible, strengthening local agriculture, limiting food waste, and addressing food insecurity,” said County Executive Joe Parisi. “We encourage groups to apply and join us in striving to improve food equity countywide.”

The USDA defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in the household to live an active, healthy life. It is a goal of the Dane County Food Council to improve access to healthy, culturally relevant food.

“The PIE Grants are among my most favorite programs in all of Dane County government. They honor the creativity and passion of community groups, all with the goal of bringing food to our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Dane County Board Supervisor Michele Ritt. “I am grateful for the increase in funding this year so that more projects can be funded.”

Individuals and organizations with smaller projects are especially encouraged to apply. In 2024, $40,000 is available for PIE Food Project Grants. This is an increase over previous funding years. Note, there are two different application categories:

  • Grant A pool will support funding requests up to $2,000
  • Grant B pool will support funding requests between $2,001 and $4,000.

For applicants applying in the Grant B category, please note there are three additional questions to be completed.

Proposals should address one or more of the following focus areas:

  • Increase access to healthy, local, culturally-relevant food
  • Strengthen regional agriculture and ease access to land for growing food
  • Decrease food waste and loss via recovery and redistribution of good quality rescued foods
  • Enhance community voice in local food system development

To apply, complete the attached application form or go to the Tamara D. Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusions website at https://equity.countyofdane.com/ and scroll to the bottom to click on “2024 Food Pie Project Grant.” If you have questions or need assistance completing the application, please contact Theola Carter at (608) 283-1391 or OEIGrantSubmission@countyofdane.com.

Please submit your application electronically (preferred) to OEIGrantSubmission@countyofdane.com. If you are unable to submit electronically, mail to the address listed on the application form (postmarked by 4:00 PM on Monday, February 26, 2024).

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The Office for Equity and Inclusion furthers Dane County’s ongoing commitment to addressing racial, gender, and disabilities disparities. The office guides Dane County’s Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Contract Compliance, and Civil Rights Compliance functions and serves as a resource for all County departments around issues of equity, disparities, conflict resolution, staff development and best practices.

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