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Search

Many types and cuts of meat are eligible purchases. All of those products have to meet regulatory and food safety standards (that often means it has to be under state or USDA inspection). But meat in general is eligible as long as meets the definition of minimally processed or unprocessed.

11. Is the purchase of fresh meat from the emerging farmers eligible?

Many types and cuts of meat are eligible purchases. All of those products have to meet regulatory and food safety standards (that often means it has to be under state or USDA inspection). But meat in general is eligible as long as meets the definition of minimally processed or unprocessed.

No

Yes, if they are grown in Minnesota or within 400 miles of the distribution site.

12. Can fresh vegetables locally grown qualify for the program?

Yes, if they are grown in Minnesota or within 400 miles of the distribution site.

No

Based on our understanding of the models that exists for donor milk programs, the individual that is donating milk is not typically compensated financially. In that case, the milk wouldn’t be an eligible product because a donation is not an eligible expense. The processing costs are also not eligible. Food has to be either unprocessed or minimally processed, and has to be purchased at that existing level of processing. The grant cannot fund additional processing that happens after purchase.

13. Would donated human milk be included as an eligible food? There is a processing/pasteurizing step involved; is that an eligible expense?

Based on our understanding of the models that exists for donor milk programs, the individual that is donating milk is not typically compensated financially. In that case, the milk wouldn’t be an eligible product because a donation is not an eligible expense. The processing costs are also not eligible. Food has to be either unprocessed or minimally processed, and has to be purchased at that existing level of processing. The grant cannot fund additional processing that happens after purchase.

No

If the applicant is a socially disadvantaged farmer and identifies that in the application, you don’t need an additional letter from a socially disadvantaged farmer. However, there are still letters of support required from others involved in project planning.

14. If the applicant is a farmer, do we need a letter of support?

If the applicant is a socially disadvantaged farmer and identifies that in the application, you don’t need an additional letter from a socially disadvantaged farmer. However, there are still letters of support required from others involved in project planning.

No

There are certain metrics that the USDA is looking for in terms of new marketing opportunities for farmers and then new distribution outside of traditional hunger relief programs. Are there new marketing opportunities for the farmers involved? Examples could be new markets to the lead applicant, or new to at least one partner in the project. It would also count as new on the distribution end if it is new to the recipients. It’s fairly broad; if there are specific scenarios in question, you can share more information. Overall, it’s looking for a new marketing opportunity and/or new distribution.

15. What is meant by “does this project establish new sources of food”?

There are certain metrics that the USDA is looking for in terms of new marketing opportunities for farmers and then new distribution outside of traditional hunger relief programs. Are there new marketing opportunities for the farmers involved? Examples could be new markets to the lead applicant, or new to at least one partner in the project. It would also count as new on the distribution end if it is new to the recipients. It’s fairly broad; if there are specific scenarios in question, you can share more information. Overall, it’s looking for a new marketing opportunity and/or new distribution.

No

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