USDA has indicated that they are wanting to work toward a long-term picture. They are doing so in part by collecting success stories from participating states, tribal nations, and territories, in addition to quarterly reports. They are also asking questions about the relationships that are being established and if new food items are being provided that haven’t typically been available in the hunger relief system. However, there is not a formal long-term commitment to the program at this point.
The metrics and data we are asking grantees for as part of their quarterly reports mirror our USDA grant reporting requirements. An example quarterly report is available in Excel. Examples of information to be collected include how many socially disadvantaged farmers are providing food, if the distribution location is underserved, and the general food categories provided. Based on public input and suggestions, the MN LFPA program will also facilitate an evaluation cohort for grantees to share feedback about their experience with the program overall.
Grantees will not be asked to collect or share the names of people receiving the food. It is a requirement of the program that data collection not create barriers to people receiving food.
The metrics and data we are asking grantees for as part of their quarterly reports mirror our USDA grant reporting requirements. An example quarterly report is available in Excel. Examples of information to be collected include how many socially disadvantaged farmers are providing food, if the distribution location is underserved, and the general food categories provided. Based on public input and suggestions, the MN LFPA program will also facilitate an evaluation cohort for grantees to share feedback about their experience with the program overall.
Grantees will not be asked to collect or share the names of people receiving the food. It is a requirement of the program that data collection not create barriers to people receiving food.
This project would not be eligible for MN LFPA funding. Projects funded through the MN LFPA are required to spend a minimum of 61% of their total budget on food procurement costs, meaning the purchasing of eligible local food items. Production-related expenses are not eligible. Because the milk is not being purchased, the project would not be eligible.
This project would not be eligible for MN LFPA funding. Projects funded through the MN LFPA are required to spend a minimum of 61% of their total budget on food procurement costs, meaning the purchasing of eligible local food items. Production-related expenses are not eligible. Because the milk is not being purchased, the project would not be eligible.
Based on the information shared, the produce and herbs purchased for samples would not be an eligible expense. The MN LFPA Program is intended as a hunger relief program. From what was described, the samples would be used to encourage paid sales between farmers and farmers market customers. Within the context of the MN LFPA program, food must be distributed at no cost and be distributed primarily (at least 75%) to underserved communities. Although the samples are free, their purpose as a motivator for financial transactions with customers would disqualify the local ingredients used from being an eligible MN LFPA expense.
MN LFPA funds would also not be able to be used to compensate chefs at a standalone rate for their food preparation services. This would be true even if the samples were being used to promote foods that were being distributed at no cost. This is because production-related expenses are not eligible.
Based on the information shared, the produce and herbs purchased for samples would not be an eligible expense. The MN LFPA Program is intended as a hunger relief program. From what was described, the samples would be used to encourage paid sales between farmers and farmers market customers. Within the context of the MN LFPA program, food must be distributed at no cost and be distributed primarily (at least 75%) to underserved communities. Although the samples are free, their purpose as a motivator for financial transactions with customers would disqualify the local ingredients used from being an eligible MN LFPA expense.
MN LFPA funds would also not be able to be used to compensate chefs at a standalone rate for their food preparation services. This would be true even if the samples were being used to promote foods that were being distributed at no cost. This is because production-related expenses are not eligible.
A new required text field has been added within the "Contact Information" section of the online application, for applicants to provide their Unique Entity IDs. Unique Entity IDs are assigned by the federal System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and are a 12-character alphanumeric value. The text field that originally asked for the applicant's Unique Entity ID was not formatted to accept alphanumeric values. That original text field is still included in the application but is no longer a required question and should be left blank.
A new required text field has been added within the "Contact Information" section of the online application, for applicants to provide their Unique Entity IDs. Unique Entity IDs are assigned by the federal System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and are a 12-character alphanumeric value. The text field that originally asked for the applicant's Unique Entity ID was not formatted to accept alphanumeric values. That original text field is still included in the application but is no longer a required question and should be left blank.
The language regarding legal eligibility for applicants that are applying as individuals has been updated. As noted in version 2.0 of the Request for Applications, if applying as an individual, the applicant must not have been convicted of a criminal offense such as theft, embezzlement, or forgery related to a federal grant agreement within the past three years, or to a state grant agreement at any point in time.
In the online application, applicants that have indicated in the "Eligibility" section that they are applying as an individual are now asked to confirm if the following statement is true:
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If applying as an individual, I attest that I have not been convicted of a criminal offense such as theft, embezzlement, or forgery related to a federal grant agreement within the past three years, or to a state grant agreement at any point in time.
