KINGSTON, NY - Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger today announced the opening of Round 2 of the Ulster County Food Security Grant Program, with $410,000 in funding available to support food security eff orts across the County. The County has again partnered with Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley to administer the grant program, with applications accepted through October 15. Twenty-two grants were awarded last year to community partners in the County's food security network, and in recognition of continued need, the Legislature unanimously passed a resolution to fund a second round of grants.
Grant funding will focus on proposals that eff ectively address one or more of the following: (a) food security, (b) leveraging existing resources and expanding existing emergency food services, (c) providing equipment or personnel to increase capacity to collect, store, distribute, and provide food to those in need, and (d) ensure sustainability for organizations addressing food insecurity in critical geographic areas where providers are limited. In this round of grants, funds can also be used for the purchase of food.
Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $20,000 for individual organizations. Collaborative proposals may request up to $75,000, with a demonstrated plan for building long-term resiliency and sustainability within the emergency food system.
“One out of six children in our county face food insecurity, and it's critical that we expand the capacity of our emergency food network to help meet the significant need,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. "At a time when the Administration in Washington has made massive cuts to support for food banks and SNAP, and as federal tariff s put upward pressure on food prices, we are stepping up our support as a County to help local families. I want to thank the Legislature for committing the resources to a second round of grants to fight food 1
insecurity, and I also want to thank our partner, Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, for administering this important program on behalf of the County."
A total of $350,000 in County funding was authorized by the County Legislature in March, in a bipartisan resolution sponsored by Minority Leader Kevin Roberts (Plattekill) and Legislator Debra Clinton (D-Gardiner). The total program funding of $410,000 also includes $60,000 in remaining funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Projects that align with the findings from the Ulster County Food Security and Access Network (UCFSAN) report, facilitated by Family of Woodstock in 2023, and updated in February 2025, will be especially competitive.
“These small dollar grants represent critical investment in food pantries, community organizations and religious institutions that assist our neighbors in getting back on their feet,” said Minority Leader Kevin Roberts. “I am pleased to see the requirement for geographical diversity in the grant disbursement so that struggling families in Southern Ulster can receive this support by organizations within our own community, and look forward to the program's success."
“I’m glad to see the second round of Food Security Grants will be distributed soon. With federal food assistance programs facing significant cuts, local pantries have become an essential lifeline for families in Ulster County,” said Legislator Debra Clinton. “As a legislator, I will keep advocating for continued and increased support for programs like this, which support the eff orts of organizations such as Helping Hands in Gardiner, People’s Place in Kingston, and many others doing vital work across our communities. This investment helps make sure every resident has dependable access to the nutritious food they need to live with dignity and security."
“We’re proud to partner with Ulster County to support frontline organizations and their vital work,” said Laura Washington, President and CEO of Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley. “During our Community Conversations, residents, nonprofit leaders, and civic partners emphasized that food insecurity is one of the most urgent issues in the Hudson Valley. Our Voices of the Hudson Valley report reflects this concern, highlighting food access as a top priority and recognizing food assistance nonprofits as essential to the community. Community Foundations is committed to funding local nonprofits in their eff orts to combat food insecurity.”
Applications are due by October 15, 2025. Visit https://communityfoundationshv.org/grants/ for more information and to apply. Award notifications will be issued in early December 2025.
Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley is a key funder of food security through the Hudson Valley Farm Fresh Food Initiative which provides grants to regional nonprofits to bring more fresh Hudson Valley produce to people in the region who need it most.
For grant application questions, contact Cristin McPeake, Vice President of Programs at cmcpeake[at]communityfoundationshv[dot]org or (845) 452-3077.
For questions about UCFSAN, contact Paul Rakov, Deputy Director of Family of Woodstock, at prakov[at]familyofwoodstockinc[dot]org or (845) 331-7080.
Contact Kristen Wilson, Deputy Director of Ulster County Planning at kwil[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us or (845) 340-3338 for questions about this initiative.
About The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley
Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley (CFHV) delivers community leadership and strategic philanthropy to inspire and celebrate local charitable giving in the Mid-Hudson Valley region. Partnering with its generous donors, CFHV addresses current and emerging community needs through eff ective grantmaking to improve the quality of life for all, and by off ering technical assistance to help nonprofits operate more eff ectively. Since its origin as the Area Fund in 1969, CFHV has expanded to include Dutchess, Ulster, and Putnam counties. CFHV currently manages over $100 million in assets and administers nearly 600 charitable funds for individuals and organizations. In 2023, it distributed more than $11 million in grants and scholarships. CFHV is a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Contributions to CFHV are tax-deductible within the limitations prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code.
