The UNFI Foundation Announces $1.5 Million in Grants to 61 Organizations Focused on Creating a More Sustainable and Equitable Food System

August 22, 2024           5 minute read

The UNFI Foundation’s mission is to empower changemakers to create a more sustainable and equitable food system. Today it announced that it has awarded $1.5 million in grants to 61 nonprofit organizations focused on improving access to quality food while creating a more sustainable and equitable food system. These grants, made possible with support and contributions from industry partners, leverage UNFI’s expertise, foster deeper collaboration with target nonprofit organizations, and support one or more of the UNFI Foundation’s new focus areas of climate smart agriculture, food access innovations, food equity, and local food economies.  

“Since its founding, the UNFI Foundation has been focused on working with community partners to improve access to quality food and protect the planet we share,” said Matt Echols, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of UNFI and UNFI Foundation Board Chair. “Each of the 61 grant recipients exemplifies at least one of the Foundation’s newly established priorities, which aim to advance innovations that bring better food to more communities in a more sustainable way. We are inspired by each organization’s passion and commitment to building a better food system and look forward to supporting their continued progress.”  

UNFI Foundation’s New Priorities 

To better align its giving strategy with evolving industry and community needs, the UNFI Foundation has sharpened its focus to four priorities that are critical to driving lasting, systemic change throughout the food system.  

• Climate Smart Agriculture – Supports regenerative farmers and producers dedicated to sustainable practices that lead to healthier soil, cleaner air, and higher quality, more nutritious food. 

• Food Access Innovations – Focuses on improving access to quality food in underserved areas through alternative distribution models, nutrition incentive programs, and food recovery. 

• Food Equity – Supports inclusive food business development by equipping BIPOC and other historically marginalized food entrepreneurs with opportunities and resources necessary for success. 

• Local Food Economies – Focuses on localizing the food supply chain by connecting food producers and consumers within the same geographic region, enhancing resilience and sustainability in local food networks. 

Selected Organizations

The 61 grantees selected this year span national and local organizations in 26 states across the United States and two Provinces in Canada. They were selected by a grant review committee comprising UNFI associates, and selections were based on alignment with the Foundation’s priorities and their demonstrated potential for impact.   

"Our partnership with the UNFI Foundation allows us to continue to build and innovate to ensure less food ends up in landfills and instead goes to local food distribution organizations. Thanks to the UNFI Foundation's support, we will have more capacity to reroute more than 240,000 pounds of surplus food to our neighbors in need." - Kenna Rogers, Director of Operations at FoodRecovery.org. 

"With the generous support from the UNFI Foundation, the Freedmen Heirs Foundation is poised to significantly expand our Social Mass Balance projects. The Social Mass Balance approach aims to foster equity and resilience in the food system by prioritizing strategic partnerships among Black farmers and producers, agribusinesses, nonprofits, and the public and private sectors. This funding will enable us to scale up our work, enhancing the effectiveness and reach of our programs that strive to create equitable market access and sustainable agricultural practices,” said Seanicaa Edwards Herron, Foundation and Executive Director of the Freedmen Heirs Foundation.

"We work to create a more just and resilient food system in the Ocean State," said Nessa Richman, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council, "This grant from the UNFI Foundation provides critical support for our efforts to increase food access and nutrition security, grow strong local farms and food businesses, and protect our precious natural resources."    

To learn more about the 2024 recipients, visit www.unfifoundation.org/grantees.