Hawaii Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP)

The Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP) assists to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-scale gardening, herding and livestock, and apiary operations. The Hawai'i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) competitively distributes the funds through subawards to eligible entities. Subawardees applying as individuals will be awarded $5,000, and subawardees applying as organizations will be awarded $10,000.

Eligible entities are: an individual, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, a non-profit organization engaged in increasing food security (ex: food bank, food pantry, religious organization), a federally funded educational facility, or a local or tribal government that may not levy local taxes under state or federal law. Eligible entities must be a resident of and located in the state of Hawai'i, and be at least 18 years of age. There are two different applications: one strictly for use by individuals, and one strictly for use by organizations. The MGFSP requires a 10% cash match for organizations (no match for individuals).

The online application prompts applicants to check boxes on how they will use their funding, estimate quantity/weight of food produced, and provide a headcount of beneficiaries. Applicants select one category: gardening, herding and livestock, or apiaries, and write a descriptive plan of their project. Applications for the FY24 round were open from January 19, 2026 to February 19, 2026, and had to be received by 12:00 P.M. Noon on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Program contact: (808) 973-9594.