U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Grant Eligibility

The United States Department of Agriculture Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) announced a grant opportunity. The application is now open and closes on May 16. Municipalities are among the eligible entities, as well as school districts, nonprofits, and small businesses. 

LFPP funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer-to-consumer marketing to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products. This program focuses on: 

• Supporting the processing, aggregation, distribution, and storage of local and regional food products that are marketed locally or regionally, including value-added agricultural products;
• Encouraging the development of value-added agricultural products;
• Assisting with business development plans and feasibility studies;
• Developing marketing strategies for producers of local food products and value-added agricultural products in new and existing markets;
• Facilitating regional food chain coordination and mid-tier value chain development;
• Promoting new business opportunities and marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food waste;
• Responding to changing technology needs in indirect producer-to-consumer marketing; and
• Covering expenses related to costs incurred in obtaining food safety certification and making improvements to food safety practices and equipment.

We encourage you to review the grant criteria to determine whether your municipality would benefit from applying for the grant. Please feel free to share with applicable small businesses in your community.