ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Organizations with big ideas on how to feed the community have a new opportunity to turn those concepts into reality. The City of St. Petersburg officially opened the application window today for its Community Food Grant Program, putting $100,000 on the table for projects that improve food access and equity.
Running now through February 12, 2026, the program is looking for local stakeholders who can offer innovative ways to fix the city’s “food landscape.”
The goal is straightforward: build a system where healthy, nourishing food is accessible to every resident, regardless of their zip code.
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The funding isn’t being handed out in small change, either. The city plans to split the $100,000 pot into just three significant awards: one top-tier grant of $50,000 and two awards of $25,000 each.
Officials say the money is earmarked for projects that hit specific targets. Successful applicants will need to show their plans align with at least one of three core focus areas:
- Supporting the local food economy and community building.
- Improving food access and security.
- Strengthening overall community health and wellness.
This initiative is the financial arm of the city’s broader Healthy Food Action Plan. That plan was developed using direct feedback from St. Pete residents to tackle health disparities across neighborhoods. It also ties directly into Mayor Kenneth T. Welch’s “Neighborhood Health and Safety Pillar of Progress,” which prioritizes investment in communities that have historically faced higher rates of poverty and inequity.
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How to Get Involved
The clock is already ticking for interested groups. The application portal opened on January 12 and will slam shut promptly at 4 p.m. on February 12, 2026.
Applicants who have questions before submitting their proposals can utilize a Q&A period through the OpenGov portal, which remains open until January 30.
To review the full criteria, see the suggested community strategies, or submit an application, visit www.stpete.org/CommunityFoodGrant. Questions can also be directed to the Healthy St. Pete team at 727-892-5994 or via their website at www.healthystpetefl.com.
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