U.S. Department of Agriculture: Local Food Promotion Program

The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) offers grant funds 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 Local and Regional Food Business Enterprises, or assisting in the development, improvement, and expansion of Local and Regional Food Business Enterprises. 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.

Two types of project applications are accepted under LFPP—planning grants and implementation grants. Applicants can apply for either but will receive only one type of grant in the same grant cycle.

• LFPP Planning Grants are used in the planning stages of establishing or expanding a local and regional food business enterprise. Activities can include but are not limited to market research, feasibility studies, and business planning.
• 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. Activities can include but are not limited to training and technical assistance for the business enterprise and/or for producers working with the business enterprise; outreach and marketing to buyers and consumers; and non-construction infrastructure improvements to business enterprise facilities or information technology systems.

Amount: Approximately $13 million in competitive grant funds in fiscal year (FY) 2018 is available. A 25% match must be provided for both Planning Grants and Implementation Grants.

• LFPP Planning Grants: A minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $100,000 will be awarded for any one proposal, and the grants must be completed within a 18 month period.
• LFPP Implementation Grants: A minimum of $100,000 and a maximum of $500,000 will be awarded for any one proposal, and the grants must be completed within a 36 month (3 year) grant period.

Eligibility: Agricultural businesses, agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer associations, community supported agriculture (CSA) networks, CSA associations, local government, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, and Tribal governments.

Link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=301385

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