The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service has announced $7.5 million in grant funding aimed at expanding cold chain infrastructure for food assistance organizations, according to an official USDA announcement dated August 17, 2026.
The Grants Could Expand Access to Perishable Foods
The funding is available through the Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance Program (CCG). According to the announcement, the program is designed to help food assistance entities — such as food banks — purchase equipment needed to temporarily store, package, and distribute fresh, frozen, and minimally processed foods, including meat, eggs, dairy, and produce.
For shoppers and families who rely on food assistance programs, the practical impact could mean greater availability of perishable and nutritious foods at food banks and similar organizations in their communities.
Why Cold Storage Matters at a Food Bank
Shelf space is only part of the equation when food banks try to offer families a wider variety of groceries. Fresh meat, milk, eggs, produce and frozen foods require appropriate refrigeration or freezer capacity from the time they arrive until they are distributed. A food pantry with limited cold storage may therefore have less flexibility to accept or hold large deliveries of perishable foods, even when those products are available. Expanding refrigerators, freezers and related equipment could help participating organizations handle more of these foods safely and make them available to families using emergency food assistance.
Individual Food Assistance Operations Could Receive Up to $200,000
Non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for the grants. Selected recipients would be responsible for running a competitive subaward program, through which individual food assistance operations could apply for equipment funding. Subawards would cover the cost of cold chain equipment, plus documented delivery, installation, and necessary ancillary supplies, up to a maximum of $200,000 per subaward. Organizations receiving subawards are required to provide a 10% cash cost-share contribution.
The grant program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. USDA noted that projects funded through the CCG are intended to align with the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Applications Are Due October 1
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on October 1, 2026. The announcement states that applications submitted after that deadline will not be considered.
Organizations interested in applying can find eligibility details on the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance program website, or contact the CCG team directly at [email protected].
Readers with specific questions about eligibility or program details should verify their situation directly with USDA, as grant requirements and timelines are subject to official program terms.
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