Prepared Meals Community Grant Application
Serving Unhoused Populations in Alameda County
Deadline Extension: Due December 5th, 2025
Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB) is offering grants designed to improve subcontractors’ ability to prepare and/or distribute prepared meals to unhoused neighbors and/or people who do not have stable housing.
We are pleased to announce that we are expanding eligibility requirements to reach more of our unhoused neighbors and support the various stages of work involved in preparing and distributing meals throughout our community.
Meal Vendors and Distribution Partners: Organizations that both prepare meals in a permitted kitchen and distribute meals directly to the community should continue with the current application and eligibility requirements, here:
Two additional applications are now available to accommodate different types of meal service organizations under the Prepared Meals Community Grant.
Non-profits that distribute meals prepared by a meal vendor – A new application will be available for non-profit organizations that distribute prepared meals they receive from a meal vendor. Organizations that only distribute meals are not required to hold a permit for a commercial kitchen, but the prepared meals must come from a permitted commercial kitchen. Nonprofits that distribute meals must still obtain a California Food Handler Card (2-hour certification) before funds are released.
Apply if you’re an organization that distributes prepared meals
Non-profit meal vendors partnering with distributors – A new application is available for non-profit meal vendors that prepare meals in commercial kitchens and collaborate with other organization(s) to distribute meals to unhoused communities. A permit to operate a kitchen from either the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health or City of Berkeley Department of Environmental Health and have a California Food Manager’s Certificate is required.
Apply if you are a meal vendor only
Please note: all applicants must currently operate a meals program and have an established partnership with either a meal vendor or meal distributor.
Information Session
Grant Overview
Alameda County Social Services Agency contracted ACCFB 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 estimated range of $20,000 – $250,000.
Grant Application Timeline
- Application Opens: Monday, October 27th, 2025 (organizations that both prepare and distribute meals) and Friday, November 14th (meal distributor or meal vendor partners only)
- Application Closes: Friday, December 5th, 2025 at 5:00pm. **Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Grant Awards Announced: December-January
- Grant Term: One year from Grant Agreement date
Definitions
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 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.
Eligible Food and Projects/Services
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.
| Prepared Meal Community Grant Items | Examples |
| Perishable and Non-Perishable Food | Meat, Vegetables, Fruit, Grains, Legumes, and Healthy Beverages, Prepared Meals (Distributor Only) |
| Food Containers and Utensils | Reusable meal containers, Plastic plates, Cups, Bowls, Utensils, Napkins |
| Kitchen Supplies | Pots, Pans, Skillets, Kitchen Towels and Holders, Serving Trays, Chafing dishes, Utensils |
| Distribution Materials | Tables, Tents, Tarps, Chairs, Stanchions, Signage |
| Staffing | Cook, Server, Intake Assistant, Driver , Meal Distribution Assistor |
| Operating Costs | Commercial kitchen rental, Gas, Parking Fees |
Non-Eligible Projects or Expenses
- 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.
Reporting requirements
- Monthly reporting is required on the following metrics via online form submission:
- Number of meals prepared/received
- 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
- 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.
When subcontractors receive a Prepared Meals Community Grant, they agree to:
- 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.
- 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.
Use of Funds:
- Subcontractor shall purchase all proposed supplies no later than one month (30 days) from date of receiving the award check. For services, food, and ongoing expenses exceeding one month, but no more than one 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 ACCFB 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.
• Subcontractor will promptly repay any grant funds not used for the grant purpose or otherwise in accordance with the grant agreement.
How are applications reviewed?
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.
For consideration, subcontractors must meet the following requirements:
- Submit a completed application with all necessary supporting documentation by the deadline, Friday, December 5th, 2025, 5:00pm. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed.
- Operate an established prepared meal program for unhoused populations in Alameda County.
- Possess a California Food Handler Certification or California Food Manager Certification
- Possess permit to operate a kitchen from Alameda County Department of Environmental Health or the City of Berkeley Department of Environmental Health (meal vendors only).
- Demonstrate capacity and willingness to comply with reporting and food safety requirements.
- Organization must have a client intake system to collect unduplicated numbers of individuals and households served (meal distributors only).
- Engage in CalFresh application support, referral, and/or outreach and awareness.
- Provide current evidence of non-profit status.
Preference for grant awards will be given to subcontractors who:
- 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).
- Partner with a non-profit meal vendor to obtain meals for distribution (meal distributor only)
- Demonstrate a clear need for the requested Prepared Meals Community Grant assets.
- Provide regular and consistent services to the community.
