Those requirements only apply to the LFPA program, so 70% of the food items paid for with LFPA grant funds must be from Minnesota and from socially disadvantaged farmers. They are not intended to be criteria for the normal operations of an organization.
Yes, the definition for socially disadvantaged is broad. It is the USDA definition and it isn’t specific about types of financial assistance, so we understand that any could qualify. We ask that farmers self-identify whether they are socially disadvantaged, and have a form that grantees can provide to participating farmers that asks that question. We do not need to see that form, we just need the answer to be entered on a grantee’s reporting spreadsheet. The only thing we ask for regarding that status is a yes or no, nothing more about how or why the farmer identifies as socially disadvantaged. Our required data report asks for the farmer name, whether they are socially disadvantaged, city, county, and zip code, because that is what we are required to report to the USDA.
Yes, the definition for socially disadvantaged is broad. It is the USDA definition and it isn’t specific about types of financial assistance, so we understand that any could qualify. We ask that farmers self-identify whether they are socially disadvantaged, and have a form that grantees can provide to participating farmers that asks that question. We do not need to see that form, we just need the answer to be entered on a grantee’s reporting spreadsheet. The only thing we ask for regarding that status is a yes or no, nothing more about how or why the farmer identifies as socially disadvantaged. Our required data report asks for the farmer name, whether they are socially disadvantaged, city, county, and zip code, because that is what we are required to report to the USDA.
We don’t have a specific list that we can share aside from what the USDA has in their definition (see page 10 of the RFP, or question #4 in this section). That being said, we have asked about some products specifically and know that maple syrup, wild rice, and oats are allowed, and the fish could be allowed if it is raw and just cut into fillets (no added ingredients or further processing). Cheese is allowed, but cannot have added ingredients beyond what is need to make the cheese from fluid milk (For example, jalapeño cheddar is not allowed).
We don’t have a specific list that we can share aside from what the USDA has in their definition (see page 10 of the RFP, or question #4 in this section). That being said, we have asked about some products specifically and know that maple syrup, wild rice, and oats are allowed, and the fish could be allowed if it is raw and just cut into fillets (no added ingredients or further processing). Cheese is allowed, but cannot have added ingredients beyond what is need to make the cheese from fluid milk (For example, jalapeño cheddar is not allowed).
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Pavilion will make its return to Chicago for the National Restaurant Association Show May 18-21, 2024. Twelve Minnesota food and beverage businesses will exhibit as part of the Pavilion within the “A Taste of the States” section of the trade show to promote products made and grown in the state to a regional and national audience.
The National Restaurant Association show is the largest annual gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western Hemisphere. “A Taste of the States” — organized by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture — provides dedicated space for U.S. food and beverage companies to engage with thousands of buyers from the foodservice industry, including restaurants, breweries, hotels, airlines, and institutions such as schools, universities, military, and healthcare. Businesses can also connect with international buyers from more than 100 countries across the globe.
“The National Restaurant Association Show offers a unique platform for these 12 Minnesota-based food and beverage companies to make new connections with foodservice representatives from around the world, helping expand the reach of their brands and products as well as Minnesota agriculture,” said MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey.
The following businesses and organizations will exhibit in the Minnesota Pavilion to promote food and beverage products from the state:
The MDA supports exhibiting companies with promotional and logistical support leading up to the show and on the ground in Chicago. Minnesota Pavilion events are offered through the MDA’s Make it Minnesota program, which works with Minnesota food and beverage companies on business and market development. Make it Minnesota aims to create and protect jobs, increase the use of Minnesota agricultural ingredients, and promote economic development in Minnesota’s agriculture and food sectors.
The MDA will also host a reception for Minnesota attendees of the trade show on Monday, May 20.
This year’s Minnesota Pavilion event is supported by partnering organizations Agricultural Utilization and Research Institute (AURI), Naturally Minnesota, and NearestYou.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will set approximately 20,000 insect traps this year to survey for spongy moth (Lymantria dispar). The traps will be set throughout the eastern half of the state.
This work is part of the MDA’s annual trapping survey program, designed to protect Minnesota’s forests and urban areas from spongy moth by identifying potential problem areas for future treatments. The goal isn’t to trap every spongy moth. Instead, the survey is key to early detection and slowing the spread of the insect. Annual surveys and follow-up management delay the devastating impacts of spongy moth.
Spongy moth caterpillars eat the leaves of over 300 types of trees and shrubs, favoring oak, poplar, birch, and willow. Severe, repeated infestations can kill trees. Spongy moths are also a human nuisance.
In 2022 and 2023, record numbers of spongy moths were detected in traps placed in Minnesota, reflecting a nationwide trend of increased spread. The infested area of North America includes Minnesota’s Lake and Cook counties, much of Wisconsin, the northeastern region of the U.S., and southeastern Canada.
Nearly 40 MDA survey staff will be setting traps from May through July. Traps will remain in the field until mid-September in the southern region and through October in the northern region. The “delta” traps are small, triangle-shaped, and made of cardboard. Bigger “milk carton” shaped traps will be set in select areas of Carlton, St. Louis, and western Lake counties to survey potentially higher numbers of moths. All the traps contain a pheromone to lure in male spongy moths.
The traps are placed mainly on trees in a grid pattern at a specified distance from each other. The grid allows for the traps to detect as many male moths as possible and provide population data. To be successful, it is important to maintain the survey grid. Citizens are asked not to disturb the traps and to call the MDA’s Report a Pest line at 888-545-MOTH (6684) or email spongy.moth@state.mn.us if they would like traps moved or removed from their property.
In addition, this year the MDA is asking the public to be extra vigilant on spotting potential infestations and reporting potential spongy moth sightings via the Report a Pest online service or by emailing reportapest@state.mn.us.
“With the public’s help, this work protects industries like tourism and forestry from economic harm and saves Minnesota’s urban and forested areas from environmental damage,” said Plant Protection Director Mark Abrahamson.
For more details about the trapping survey program and spongy moth, visit the MDA website.
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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
