A San Francisco non-profit community fund that has had a positive impact on community farms throughout the country – including Two Gander Farm in Downingtown – is again offering small grants of up to $5,000 to farms and agricultural nonprofit organizations.

The FruitGuys Community Fund, sponsored by Community Initiatives, will this April award grants to help farms and orchards fund projects that will help them operate more sustainably and strengthen community outreach.

In 2013 a $3,500 grant from the fund helped Two Gander Farm construct a high tunnel to extend its hardy greens growing season.

The specialty produce farm and apiary is owned by Trey and Deirdre Flemming who work together to bring high quality sustainably grown fruits, vegetables and honey directly to local families.  The Flemings say their farming revolves around practicing ecologically sound agriculture.

Two Gander produce and honey is offered seasonally at the Bryn Mawr, Downingtown and Dickinson Square farmers markets, and they also have winter and summer CSAs.

The FruitGuys Community Fund was established in 2012 and grew out of The Farm Steward Program at The FruitGuys, an industry leader among companies providing farm-fresh fruit to offices.

“More than 60 applicants from the west, midwest, and east coast applied for the 2014 grants, up from 15 in 2013, the Community Fund’s first year of operation,” said Chris Mittelstaedt, founder and board chair of The FruitGuys Community Fund. “We are committed to helping small farms become more sustainable and are confident that we will identify well deserving farms, farmers and projects. We firmly believe that supporting small farms bolsters communities in major ways.”

Grant applications are due Monday, Feb. 16 for 2015 projects.