RVA CENTER FOR JUSTICE PARTNER WITH GROWING JUSTICE FUND AS THEY ARE AWARDING OVER $5 MILLION TO SUPPORT VALUES-BASED GOOD FOOD PROCUREMENT

The Growing Justice Fund is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2024 grant

cycle, awarding over $5 million to 36 grantees focused on advancing equity in food procurement. This

funding supports initiatives led by and benefiting Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant

communities, all working to reshape the food system to be more just, sustainable, and

community-centered.

For this grant cycle, the Growing Justice Fund provided a mix of Planning Grants and Implementation

Grants, with funding amounts ranging from $25,000 to $250,000. The grants support a variety of

projects that aim to expand engagement with community-serving institutions, including schools,

hospitals, and elder care facilities, which hold the purchasing power to positively impact historically

marginalized communities.

"We are thrilled to announce the 2024 Growing Justice Fund grantees, representing a powerful

collective of community-led initiatives advancing equity and sustainability in our food systems.

These grantees embody the transformative work that values-based good food procurement can

achieve, supporting Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant communities. This year’s

funding is a testament to the incredible dedication of our funders, Advisory Committee members,

and partners who make this impact possible. Together, we are driving meaningful change,

empowering underrepresented voices, and building a more equitable future. We look forward to

seeing the innovative work these grantees will accomplish."

- Ricardo Rocha, Growing Justice Advisory Committee Chair

The 2024 grants are aligned with Growing Justice’s three priority areas:

● Infrastructure: Building and strengthening the infrastructure necessary for equitable food

procurement, including support for BIPOC+ producers, food hubs, and institutional partnerships.

● Policy and Organizing: Supporting grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and capacity-building

efforts that align institutional food procurement practices with community needs.

● Tribal Food Systems: Strengthening food sovereignty efforts within Tribal Nations, including

promoting traditional foodways and economic empowerment across Native communities.

The selected grantees are working on initiatives that range from expanding food hubs and establishing

new partnerships with anchor institutions to advocating for changes in institutional food procurement

policies and fostering the growth of Tribal food sovereignty.