USDA Accepting Applications for Local Food Promotion Program
The purpose of the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) is 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. This is accomplished 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.
Two types of project applications are accepted under LFPP – planning grants and implementation grants.
LFPP Planning Grantsare 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 Grantsare 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.
Eligible Applicants Include:
- 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’ markets authorities
- Tribal governments
Funding Levels: LFPP planning grant awards range from $25,000 to $100,000. LFPP implementation grant awards range from $100,000 to $500,000. Approximately $13.4 million will be available to fund applications.
Match: A 25 percent cash or in-kind funding match is required
The grant is due May 7, 2018 with funding available beginning September 30, 2018.
The full Request for Applications can be found here.
For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison's assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.