U.S. Department of Agriculture: Farmers Market Promotion Program

The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) works 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 domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities.

FMPP offers the following types of grants:

1. Capacity Building Projects: Projects are intended to assist applicants in the development, improvement, and expansion of domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, CSA programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. CB projects should demonstrate a direct benefit to farm and ranch operations serving local markets (including new and beginning farmers) and maximize the involvement of farmers and ranchers and community organizations. Projects can include, but are not limited to:

• Local farmer, rancher, or market manager training and education
• Farmers market, roadside stand, CSA, or agritourism activity startup and/or expansion
• Market analysis and planning for a direct producer-to-consumer market opportunity
• Recruitment and outreach to new and beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as to consumers in support of direct producer-to-consumer markets

2. Community Development, Training, and Technical Assistance (CTA) Projects: Projects are intended to support applicants’ efforts to provide outreach, training, and technical assistance to farm and ranch operations serving local markets and other interested parties for developing, improving, and expanding domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, CSA programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. CTA projects should engage a diverse set of local and regional foods stakeholders, including farmers and ranchers, to illustrate a substantive effect on the local and regional food system and stakeholders. Projects can include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting statewide or regional farmer, rancher, or manager (i.e., farmers market manager) training and education in developing or maintaining their own direct producer-to-consumer enterprise
• Assisting farmers and ranchers in advertising and promoting their locally and regionally produced agricultural products through training and technical assistance
• Establishing or expanding producer-to-consumer networks and organizations on a state, regional, and national level, which includes efforts to develop sourcing channels using direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities with corporate, non-profit, and public institutions
• Providing technical support for small- and mid-sized producers to become compliant with local, state, federal, and/or industry specifications and standards in order to increase their direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities

Priority consideration will be given to projects that: (1) Benefit communities located in areas of concentrated poverty with limited access to supermarkets; and (2) Are implemented in and support agri-businesses located in rural areas or towns that have populations of 50,000 or less. At least 10 percent of total funding will be awarded to these projects.

Amount: Approximately $11,500,000 is available. Capacity Building grants will range from $50,000-$250,000; Community Development, Training, and Technical Assistance grants will range from $250,000-$500,000.

FMPP requires matching funds in the form of cash and/or in-kind contributions in an amount equal to 25 percent of the total Federal portion of the grant.

Eligibility: Agricultural businesses; agricultural cooperatives; Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) networks; CSA associations; economic development corporations; local governments; nonprofit corporations; producer networks; producer associations; public benefit corporations; regional farmers’ market authorities; food councils; and tribal governments.

Link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=314998

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