HAWAI’I GOOD FOOD ALLIANCE - HI

AUTHOR OF THE SUCCESSFUL AWARD OF $30 MILLION USDA GRANT TO ISLAND AND REMOTE AREAS

FUNDRAISING AND RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION | 2023

With insights from our nationally-focused work, including the Food Hub Association Feasibility Study, and a project with the Ketchikan Agricultural Producers Association, Food Works Group convened a unique set of food system actors representing remote, rural areas and island communities to spearhead a successful $30 million grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Regional Food Business Center. The Island and Remote Areas (IRA) Regional Food Business Center is a five year project that will support small-scale farmers and producers, bring necessary investment and financial sustainability to their food economies, and strengthen their resilience to natural disasters and climate change. FWG conceived this first-of-its-kind application and led the initial convening and trust building that was necessary to develop a successful application. FWG identified the lead applicant, Hawai’i Good Food Alliance (HGFA), key project partners in Alaska, as well as partners in the U.S. Virgin Islands via the Virgin Islands Good Food Coalition. FWG facilitated the grant writing process by collecting critical input from project partners and distilling it into the rigorous USDA application requirements.

Upon award from USDA, the IRA extended its geographic reach to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa.