We are now accepting applications to join a 22-month-long ARPA Advocacy Academy. Nine food councils and community groups will come together virtually and in person to learn about local budget processes, effective advocacy with local government, advocacy campaign strategies, etc. 

Our team will support your group with strategic advocacy planning and individual coaching for the duration of the grant project if you are accepted into the cohort. Our ultimate goal is to support communities in successfully advocating for local ARPA allocations for food-systems-related projects. 

Community Food Strategies has partnered with the NC Budget & Tax Center with funding from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of NC to host an ARPA Advocacy Academy that will support food councils and community groups in advocating for local government allocations of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) local funds** for health-equity-related food system projects.

Here are two examples from NC of health-equity-related food system projects using local ARPA allocations: 

• Sustaining local farmers with creative ARPA funds application: nonprofit farmers market has been helping farmers and consumers by doubling the number of SNAP benefits used to purchase locally grown food. The town of Mills River is now using its local ARPA funds to help sustain that practice.
• Guilford County voted to allocate $885,113 to “work collectively with community partners to encourage collaboration and capacity-building throughout Guilford County to improve overall food security throughout the county.”