A farm in Wisconsin could work with a lead applicant as either a partner or a collaborator and be a potential source for food depending on the farm’s exact location and the location where the food will be distributed to the end consumer. A farm in Wisconsin would not be eligible to submit an application themselves. A lead applicant’s legal business entity must be located in Minnesota.
All food sourced must meet the definition of local and regional food. The full definition is on page 10 of the Request for Applications; for products sourced outside of Minnesota the total distance that the product travels between the farm where the product originates and the point of sale to the end consumer must be at most 400 miles. Up to 30% of food purchased (by monetary value) can be from outside of Minnesota provided it means this definition. At least 70% of food purchased must be sourced from within the geographic boundaries of Minnesota. All of the food purchased must be distributed to communities in Minnesota.
Because you mentioned that you currently sell/donate food to organizations in Minnesota, please also note that projects must supplement (i.e., increase or expand) existing food procurement and food distribution activities.
Applicant Eligibility
Project Eligibility
A farm in Minnesota could submit an application and partner with area restaurants or grocery stores, provided that all food purchased using program funds is distributed at no cost and with no conditions for the end-user. At least 75% of food distribution locations must meet the definition of underserved communities. The full definition of underserved is included in the Request for Applications on page 10.
If all food being sourced and purchased with this funding was from the farm (or multiple farms) in Minnesota, that would meet the requirement that at least 70% of food purchased must be sourced from within the geographic boundaries of Minnesota. There is also a requirement that at least 70% of food purchases must be sourced from socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers. This includes: farmers of color; American Indian or Alaskan Native farmers; women; veterans; farmers with disabilities; young farmers; beginning farmers; and LGBTQ+ farmers. A farm/farms that do not identify as socially disadvantaged and emerging could provide up to 30% of a project’s food purchases if desired.
A farm in Minnesota could submit an application and partner with area restaurants or grocery stores, provided that all food purchased using program funds is distributed at no cost and with no conditions for the end-user. At least 75% of food distribution locations must meet the definition of underserved communities. The full definition of underserved is included in the Request for Applications on page 10.
If all food being sourced and purchased with this funding was from the farm (or multiple farms) in Minnesota, that would meet the requirement that at least 70% of food purchased must be sourced from within the geographic boundaries of Minnesota. There is also a requirement that at least 70% of food purchases must be sourced from socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers. This includes: farmers of color; American Indian or Alaskan Native farmers; women; veterans; farmers with disabilities; young farmers; beginning farmers; and LGBTQ+ farmers. A farm/farms that do not identify as socially disadvantaged and emerging could provide up to 30% of a project’s food purchases if desired.
A farm in Minnesota could submit an application and partner with area restaurants or grocery stores, provided that all food purchased using program funds is distributed at no cost and with no conditions for the end-user. At least 75% of food distribution locations must meet the definition of underserved communities. The full definition of underserved is included in the Request for Applications on page 10.
If all food being sourced and purchased with this funding was from the farm (or multiple farms) in Minnesota, that would meet the requirement that at least 70% of food purchased must be sourced from within the geographic boundaries of Minnesota. There is also a requirement that at least 70% of food purchases must be sourced from socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers. This includes: farmers of color; American Indian or Alaskan Native farmers; women; veterans; farmers with disabilities; young farmers; beginning farmers; and LGBTQ+ farmers. A farm/farms that do not identify as socially disadvantaged and emerging could provide up to 30% of a project’s food purchases if desired.
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.
No, that would not meet the requirement for partnership if the food pantry and student farm are both a part of the same organizational entity. The lead applicant must have at least one partner that is a different business/organization or an individual that is not organizationally affiliated with the applicant.
Yes. The lead applicant must be located in MN, but partners and collaborators can be located outside of MN. Please see question 1 in the Key Concepts and Definitions section for additional information on what is considered local and regional food, and where foods can be sourced.
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.
An applicant and project partners can be in rural or local metro/urban areas. The intent of this program is to buy food from socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers and get it to underserved communities throughout the state.
Please see additional related information in Question 1 in this section.
An applicant and project partners can be in rural or local metro/urban areas. The intent of this program is to buy food from socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers and get it to underserved communities throughout the state.
Please see additional related information in Question 1 in this section.
Project Expenses and Budgeting
No. Maple syrup tapping and processing equipment would be considered production-related expenses. Production-related expenses are ineligible. Finished maple syrup could be an eligible expense, however.
