Predevelopment Technical Assistance Grants

The Kansas Healthy Food Initiative (KHFI) is offering grants to organizations and businesses that are planning projects to expand healthy food access at the retail level. These may include brand new enterprises or the expansion of existing businesses. This financial assistance is geared toward projects that are still in early concept or predevelopment stages and are not yet ready for full implementation. Project activities include but are not limited to:

  • Market or feasibility research
  • Architectural design assistance or site planning
  • Community assessments and engagement
  • Business planning
  • Legal counsel

In 2025, there were two application rounds for KHFI’s Predevelopment Technical Assistance Grant Program. Read about the 2025 grant recipients.

Application Timeline

In 2026, there will be two application rounds for KHFI's Predevelopment Technical Assistance Grant program. The deadlines for each application round are as follows:

  • Round One: February 27, 2026 by 11:59 PM Central
  • Round Two: September 25, 2026 by 11:59 PM Central

Applicants will be notified of their grant award status approximately six weeks after the close of each application round.

Eligibility and Guidelines

Eligible projects must expand healthy food offerings at the retail level in low-resource and underserved areas of Kansas, and they must accept/plan to accept SNAP or support a retail outlet that accepts SNAP. Examples of eligible projects include:

  • Opening or expanding a grocery retail outlet that sells affordable and healthy foods, such as whole fruits and vegetables (fresh, refrigerated, frozen or canned), whole grains, fat free or low-fat dairy, lean meat and protein.
  • Developing an innovative food system project that increases access to healthy foods at affordable prices, such as a farmers’ market or food hub.
  • Improving distribution of locally sourced, healthy foods to retail outlets.

Before submitting an application, please review the full program parameters, eligibility criteria, and application questions in the 2026 Predevelopment Technical Assistance Grant Program Guidelines.

Office Hours

In 2026, the KHFI team will host biweekly drop in office hours when the application is open. Office hours may be used to share about your project idea, ask questions about the application process, confirm project eligibility, etc. The office hours will take place via Zoom on Thursdays from 11 AM to 12 PM Central Time on the following dates:

  • Round One: January 29th, February 12th, and February 26th
  • Round Two: August 20th, September 3rd, and September 17th

Register for the Zoom link to attend office hours.

Additional Resources

An informational webinar was hosted on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Watch the recording.

View the list of Frequently Asked Questions (pdf).

Submit an Application

Applications must be submitted using this online application form. Reach out to our team at khfi@ksu.edu with questions.