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Q&A
Support for smaller and newer CFC providers
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4 min
This chapter discusses how the CFC program supports and connects with smaller and newer food providers. First Deputy Commissioner Berry explains the application process and the types of assistance available.
- CFC has an open, rolling application process for new providers
- The program offers administrative grants and capacity-building grants to help providers
- Smaller pantries can receive support for purchasing equipment without having to outlay money upfront
- CFC funding is meant to be supplemental, not the sole funding source for pantries
Diana Ayala
0:27:04
Okay.
0:27:06
Can you tell us what the CFC is doing to connect with and support smaller and newer providers?
0:27:14
Sorry.
0:27:15
I I the What is what is the CFC doing to connect with and support smaller with smaller newer providers?
Jill Berry
0:27:22
Yeah.
0:27:23
So we do feel that it is really important to be able to support all types of providers with the CFC program.
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We support large providers, medium providers, as well as small pantries.
0:27:36
And the way we support that is we have an open application process.
0:27:40
The application process for CFC is always open on a rolling basis.
0:27:45
We do keep a small set of funds aside so that we can fund new pantries in the program at any given time.
0:27:53
And the we every pantry application we receive we work with that pantry to try to fund them.
0:28:03
One of the you have to have safe places to store foods.
0:28:07
Somebody doesn't have that, we'll do a site visit to talk to them about, you know, well maybe you could put a refrigerator here or there's this other location nearby that maybe could help out.
0:28:20
We also require that CFC is not the only funding source for the pantry.
0:28:24
So pantries CFC is is meant to be a supplemental program.
0:28:27
It's not funding the full needs of every pantry in the city Of New York, but we may work with them to let them know what the the New York State application process is so they can apply for both sets of funding at the same time.
0:28:40
We can coordinate and ensure that that pantry gets opened.
0:28:43
Really the only reason that that we would reject a pantry application is if they're not working with us for one, but that's not typically the case.
0:28:52
But if there's already a a couple of pantries like on the same block, that might be a reason that we we might not fund a particular pantry.
Diana Ayala
0:29:01
Is there a minimum to the amount that you expect an organization or program to have in foundation funds before they can be approved for
Jill Berry
0:29:12
No.
0:29:12
There's there's no set minimum amount but it would obviously we we try to use our best judgment there.
0:29:18
A dollar of funding would not be enough but but there is no set amount because we know pantry sizes vary, the number of hours that they operate vary, the number of people they serve vary, so we don't want to be too prescriptive in setting a minimum.
Diana Ayala
0:29:32
Yeah.
0:29:33
I I just worry for this because the smaller ones may not have the administrative capacity to, you know, dedicate that time or staff to filling out applications and so they may be relying you know on the food bank for instance you know to bring food and so if they are receiving some supplemental you know program or service through like the food bank for instance would they still qualify?
0:29:56
That counts.
Jill Berry
0:29:57
If they're getting food through the food bank or through city harvest that absolutely counts.
0:30:00
Okay.
0:30:01
Okay.
Diana Ayala
0:30:04
Does the CFC offer any operational grants or assistance to health providers?
Jill Berry
0:30:08
Yes.
0:30:09
We we do.
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We issue every year.
0:30:12
We have funding for administrate what we call administrative grants as well as capacity building grants.
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So the administrative grant process is That has been our typical process in the past is the administrative grants process where we'll have unallocated funding from a prior year that we sort of hold aside for this purpose.
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Pantries submit to us receipts for funding, whether they bought refrigerators or or hired some some a few staff members to staff a pantry needs for for food trucks.
0:30:56
They provide us with their receipts and if they meet the criteria we will reimburse them.
0:31:01
We've also recently, over the last few years under this administration, in partnership with the mayor's office of food policy, have established these capacity building grants, which I'm very excited about because I I think our administrative grants have benefited larger food pantries that can outlay money and then and then we reimburse them.
0:31:21
But this capacity building grant process that we've implemented allows I think it makes it easier for smaller pantries to to get some support for us.
0:31:31
So this process, a pantry applies for what they want to spend the funding on.
0:31:36
We evaluate those proposals that we receive and then we provide pantries with the grant funding that then they can use that money to go out and purchase.
0:31:46
Let's say a small pantry needs a larger capacity refrigerator, they submit that through our grant process.
0:31:52
If they're awarded, they then have the funds to go out and buy the larger refrigerator, but they don't have to outlay that money themselves upfront.
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