Deadline: 27 March 2017
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is seeking applications for its Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) to increase domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets, by developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement, and expansion of local and regional food businesses (including those that are not direct producer-to-consumer markets) that process, distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products.
Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) is a component of the Farmers Marketing and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP), which is authorized by the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3005).
Grant Categories
Approximately $13 million is available to fund applications under this solicitation.
LFPP Planning Grants are used in the planning stages of establishing or expanding a local and regional food business enterprise.
- Funding: Minimum grant award is $25,000. Maximum award is $100,000.
LFPP Implementation Grants are used to establish a new local and regional food business enterprise, or to improve or expand an existing local or regional food business enterprise.
- Funding: Minimum grant award is $100,000. Maximum award is $500,000.
Purpose
To increase domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produce agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets, by:
- developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement, and expansion of:
- local and regional food businesses (including those that are not direct producer-to-consumer markets) that process, distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products.
Priority Areas
Priority consideration will be given to projects that:
- Benefit communities located in areas of concentrated poverty with limited access to,
- Are implemented in and support agri-businesses located in rural areas or towns that have populations of 50,000 or less,
- Involve Promise Zone Lead Applicant Organizations. AMS will award at least 10 percent of its total funding to these projects.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible entities may apply if they support local and regional food business enterprises that process, distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products. Such entities may include:
- Agricultural businesses and cooperatives
- Producer networks and associations
- Community supported agriculture networks and associations
- Other agricultural business entities (for-profit groups)
- Nonprofit and public benefit corporations
- Economic development corporations
- Regional farmers’ market authorities
- Local and tribal governments
How to Apply
Only electronic applications may be submitted via given website.
Eligible Country: United States
For more information, please visit grants.gov.