If the markets are organized as separate business entities, one would need to be the lead applicant. It is not a requirement to have a separate organization involved specifically for the purposes of receiving/distributing food. However, the food needs to be distributed at no cost as part of the project. If the farmers’ markets have their own plan for distribution that would meet the requirements.
Yes.
Yes.
Key Concepts and Definitions
The distance between the farm or ranch where the food originates and the point of distribution to the end consumer must be at most 400 miles, or both the final market and the origin of the product must be within the same State, territory, or tribal land. For the Minnesota LFPA program, at least 70% of food has to be sourced within the geographic boundaries of MN. A maximum of 30% can be sourced from outside of the state, within a distance of 400 miles.
The distance between the farm or ranch where the food originates and the point of distribution to the end consumer must be at most 400 miles, or both the final market and the origin of the product must be within the same State, territory, or tribal land. For the Minnesota LFPA program, at least 70% of food has to be sourced within the geographic boundaries of MN. A maximum of 30% can be sourced from outside of the state, within a distance of 400 miles.
Yes, Amish farmers and other Plain community farmers would be considered socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers for the purposes of this grant.
Yes, Amish farmers and other Plain community farmers would be considered socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers for the purposes of this grant.
The distance between the farm or ranch where the food originates and the point of distribution to the end consumer must be at most 400 miles, or both the final market and the origin of the product must be within the same State, territory, or tribal land. For the Minnesota LFPA program, at least 70% of food has to be sourced within the geographic boundaries of MN. A maximum of 30% can be sourced from outside of the state, within a distance of 400 miles.
Yes, Amish farmers and other Plain community farmers would be considered socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers for the purposes of this grant.
A supplier is someone whose role is to supply food. If they don’t share in decision-making about the project they would be considered a collaborator. An example of this would be a farmer who is paid for their products and has no other role in the project.
If a farmer, or other type of supplier was also part of project work such managing distribution logistics, budgeting, etc., they would be taking an active role in project management and would be considered a partner.
No, there are not specific income eligibility requirements for underserved communities. “Underserved communities” refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. This includes Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; LGBTQ+ persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and, persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.
Please see the above question for the full definition of “underserved communities.” If the applicant/partners are aware that the populations(s) receiving the food meet that definition, that is sufficient for the application.
The Request for Applications states that the priorities for this program include distributing food in the same community as it was grown. One portion of the application asks applicants to define community – that could be geographic communities, cultural communities, etc. It is up to the applicant to decide what their definition of community is and describe how their project will create alignment between the food producers and the communities receiving the food.
Either scenario would be an expansion of existing work. The idea is to build upon work that is already being done. If the project proposal is to purchase twice as much food, that’s an expansion of the existing program. The expansion activities would need to be explained as a part of the application.
One of USDA’s goals for this program is that we try to support efforts outside the traditional emergency food system. The traditional emergency food system isn’t excluded from this grant program but the idea is to think creatively, especially in areas that aren’t as well served by the traditional system, about how food can be distributed to these places and communities. It is also an opportunity to think about the traditional power-sharing and decision-making that exists in the traditional emergency system, and who has decisions about the food that is sourced and distributed through that system. There is nothing that says that food shelves can’t apply.
Yes.
A supplier is someone whose role is to supply food. If they don’t share in decision-making about the project they would be considered a collaborator. An example of this would be a farmer who is paid for their products and has no other role in the project.
If a farmer, or other type of supplier was also part of project work such managing distribution logistics, budgeting, etc., they would be taking an active role in project management and would be considered a partner.
