Marin Awards $1.6M In 'Measure A' Funds To Local Food Programs

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Nearly $1.6 million in Measure A funds will help support 21 nonprofit programs that bolster food systems in Marin County, including through school gardens and community kitchens.

County leaders tapped community feedback after receiving 47 applications for grant funding last fall. Voters approved the program in 2022 to earmark 6 percent of Measure A funds to support sustainable food systems via the Food, Agriculture and Resilient Ecosystems (FARE) program.

The county worked with several groups, including the Marin Food Policy Council, throughout the process and announced this year's recipients on Tuesday.

"Lots of them were programs we love including our neighborhood and school gardens, nutritious food programs, and opportunities to grow more food locally and incorporate local food into programs like senior meals and school lunches," said Kevin Wright, Marin County Parks' government and external affairs coordinator. "Voters approved a competitive grant program that is perfectly situated to help address these critical funding gaps. We are proud to invest in areas that voters identified as high priorities."

Measure A funds are expected to raise more than $7 million for FARE over the next nine years.