Prepared Meals Community Grant Application
Serving Unhoused Populations in Alameda County
Due Friday, November 14th, 2025

Alameda County Social Services Agency contracted Alameda County Community Food Bank to allocate funding from Measure W to organizations that serve unhoused populations throughout Alameda County. Measure W was passed in 2020 to collect sales taxes to “provide essential County services, including housing and services for people experiencing homelessness…” (Alameda County Ballot, 2020)

• Subcontractors must have an established meal preparation program to be eligible to apply.
• Due to the considerable number of requests for funding, not all grant applications may be approved, and applications may be awarded in part or in full.
• This funding opportunity is available only to non-profits located in Alameda County.
• Unlike other ACCFB Capacity Grant funding opportunities, both ACCFB Network Partners and non-ACCFB network community-based organizations, with current nonprofit status, are eligible to apply.
• ACCFB will issue grant award checks directly to subcontractors, who will then purchase approved food, supplies, equipment, or services. Proof of purchase will be required.
• We expect to award Prepared Meal Community Grants within the range of $75,000 – $250,000.
• If you choose to apply and would like support with completing your grant application, ACCFB will be holding optional information sessions and workshops. See below for more information.

• Application Opens: Monday, October 27th, 2025
• Application Closes: Friday, November 14th, 2025 at 5:00pm
• Grant Awards Announced: December 2025
• Grant Term: 1 year from Grant Agreement date

Information Sessions and Application Workshops are available to answer questions and assist with the application process. Each session will consist of a 30-minute Information Session to provide an overview of the grant program and application process, as well as an additional 90-minute workshop during which ACCFB staff will provide technical assistance with completing the application. Attendance is optional, and the sessions will be recorded and posted online. Application Opens: Monday, October 27th, 2025

• Friday, October 31st, 1pm-1:30pm (information session); 1:30pm-3pm (application workshop) – virtual over Zoom
• Monday, November 3rd, 3pm-3:30pm (information session); 3:30pm-5pm (application workshop) – in-person at the Alameda County Community Food Bank (Community Engagement Center): 7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland. RVSP by emailing Clove at ccross@accfb.org

The definitions for terms used within the application can be found below. Please note that the terms neighbor and client may be used interchangeably.

Per Feeding America, neighbors are defined as those who reported their household received charitable food assistance and/or experienced food insecurity within the past two years.

Unhoused is defined as community members who do not have reliable residence or access to kitchen facilities, or those who may be in emergency or transitional housing situations, including temporary housing.

Prepared meals refer to ready-to-eat meals that are cooked or prepared by subcontractors in approved kitchens. These meals are intended to meet basic nutritional needs and accommodate dietary restrictions whenever possible. Supplemented “ready-to eat” food items (such as canned meals and snack items) may be provided alongside the prepared meals, but they should not represent the primary use of grant funds.

This grant funding is designed to improve and/or sustain subcontractors’ ability to serve prepared meals to neighbors who are unhoused and/or do not have stable housing. A detailed list of approved purchases can be found below.

Any supplies purchased through these grants may be monitored during site visits. Utility costs, maintenance, and repairs other than those included in the awarded contract are the responsibility of the subcontractor.

Depending on the complexity of the grant application request, ACCFB staff may coordinate a site visit to your facility or follow up requesting additional information prior to awarding funding.

• Funding for the purchase of vehicles or ongoing vehicle expenses, such as auto insurance, registration, or maintenance.
• Utility and waste management costs
• Infrastructure updates or building modifications
• Large equipment, such as refrigeration or commercial ovens
• Payment for expenses made before the Prepared Meals Community Grant contract is signed.

• Monthly reporting is required on the following metrics via online form submission:
  • Number of meals prepared
  • Number of meals distributed
  • Number of unduplicated individuals provided meals in the month
  • Number of unduplicated households provided meals in the month
  • Percent of procured food that was wasted or undelivered due to spoilage
  • CalFresh Application Assistance and/or Outreach Activity Conducted: Choose one or more of the following
    • Client Roster of clients provided CalFresh application assistance in the month (last name, first name, application number, or DOB)
    • Number of unduplicated individuals referred to Alameda County Social Services Agency (ACSSA) for CalFresh
    • Number of CalFresh outreach information packets distributed to individuals in month
• Subcontractors awarded a Prepared Meals Community Grant are required to submit one mid-term progress report and one final report during the grant period. The reports will be submitted through an online reporting platform to document the effectiveness and impact of the grant. The reports will include questions to address expense spending, performance measures, and impact of equipment/services funded by grants. Additional narrative questions will be asked, as well as requests for photos and success stories.
• Expense documentation is required; receipts and invoices must be submitted. Receipts and invoices must match approved assets and/or services on the signed Grant Agreement.

• Purchase/procure food and/or supplies to create and distribute prepared meals to unhoused populations in Alameda County
• Promote health and well-being by improving the overall health of unhoused community members by offering meals that meet basic nutritional needs and accommodate dietary restrictions, when possible.
• Use grant funds to support free meal distribution programming.
• Use meal distribution to connect unhoused neighbors with CalFresh Program application support.
• Ensure that meals are delivered and distributed in a respectful, reliable, and consistent manner that fosters trust and provides a sense of dignity, care, and community.
• Sign Grant Agreement before ACCFB will issue an award.
• Attend the required information session on the CalFresh Restaurant Meal Program hosted by ACCFB, date TBD.
• Complete reporting requirements, which include monthly reporting metrics, mid-term progress report and final report; and submit copies of receipts/proofs of purchase or services.
• Indemnify ACCFB and agree to hold harmless for any damages or injuries that may occur as a result of or relating to the approved assets and their use.

• Subcontractor shall purchase all proposed supplies no later than 1 month (30 days) from date of receiving the award check. For services, food, and ongoing expenses exceeding one month, but no more than 1-year (360 days), grant recipients will provide updates on the usage of grant funds in each of the mandatory reports during the grant period.
• Should Grant Agreement with the Food Bank be terminated within the term of the grant, ACCFB retains the right to reclaim any equipment or supplies purchased. If the asset is not returned, the subcontractor will be responsible for reimbursing ACCFB for a portion of the funds used to make the purchase. The amount will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Assets must be retained according to the agreement’s term limit. Note: the term may be adjusted with approval by the Food Bank based upon individual subcontractor circumstances.
• ACCFB retains the right to terminate the grant agreement if subcontractor fails to comply with the terms and requirements of the grant agreement. Such violations include, but are not limited to, prolonged interruption of services, discontinuation or significant reduction of prepared meals distribution, use of funds for assets and/or services not permitted under terms of grant agreement, failure to present documentation verifying grant approved purchases. In the event of termination, subcontractor will be required to return any unspent grant funds or reimburse ACCFB for any funds spent in violation of grant agreement.

Applications for community grants will be reviewed by ACCFB’s grant selection committee. Following review, subcontractors will be notified of the decision. ACCFB may approve grant requests in part or in full. Grant agreements must be signed by subcontractor and ACCFB before funds are disbursed.

1. Submit a completed application with all necessary supporting documentation by the deadline, Friday, November 14, 2025, 5:00pm. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed.
2. Operate an established prepared meal program for unhoused populations in Alameda County.
3. Possess food safety manager certification and permit to operate a kitchen from Alameda County or the City of Berkeley.
4. Demonstrate capacity and willingness to comply with reporting and food safety requirements.
5. Organization must have a client intake system to collect unduplicated numbers of individuals and households served.
6. Engage in CalFresh application support, referral, and/or outreach and awareness.
7. Provide current evidence of nonprofit status.

1. Serve prepared meals in a food apartheid location in Alameda County. Food apartheid locations are areas that have inequalities in food access that are caused by historical social injustices such as segregation and discriminatory policies (source: Brones, Anna, “Food apartheid: the root of the problem with America’s groceries”, May 15, 2018, The Guardian).
2. Demonstrate a clear need for the requested Prepared Meals Community Grant assets.
3. Provide regular and consistent services to the community.

The application is available online. Please click the button below to fill out and submit your application.

Submit the Application Here