Jan 19, 2017

USDA offers grants to help local food sector

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) made available $27 million in grants to fund projects designed to strengthen market opportunities for local and regional food producers and businesses.

Applications have been requested for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, which includes Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) grants, and the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).

The FMPP provides funds for direct farmer-to-consumer marketing projects such as farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs, roadside stands, and agritourism. The LFPP supports projects focused on intermediary supply chain activities for local food businesses. The FSMIP provides about $1 million in matching funds to state departments of agriculture, state colleges and universities, and other appropriate state agencies.

AMS will host a webinar for potential FMPP and LFPP grant applicants on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and a teleconference for potential FSMIP grant applicants on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. For more information about FSMIP, FMPP and LFPP, visit www.ams.usda.gov/AMSgrants. The website also contains a link to a grants decision tree, “What AMS Grant is Right for ME?”, to help applicants determine which AMS grant fits their project best.

AMS will also host a webinar to introduce potential applicants to www.grants.gov on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants are urged to start the Grants.gov registration process as soon as possible