The definition provided in the RFP (page 10, also below) is the best available from USDA. Cheese is an example of an eligible minimally processed food, as long as that cheese doesn’t have added flavor. It couldn’t be a jalapeño cheddar, for example. Another example of an eligible minimally processed food is breakfast sausage. But not Italian sausage. Italian sausage is considered fully processed.
There isn’t a comprehensive list of items that are either considered fully processed or minimally processed. There is a list in the RFP, however, of some specific items that have previously been asked about and confirmed to be ineligible because they are considered fully processed. That includes kimchi, ham hocks, bacon (see page 9 for the list). It’s really case by case though so if you have specific questions let us know.
“Unprocessed or minimally processed: Examples of allowable food products include fruits and vegetables (including 100% juices); grain products such as pastas and rice; meats (whole, pieces, or food items such as ground meats); meat alternates such as beans or legumes; and, fluid milk and other dairy foods such as cheese and yogurt. Foods in a wide variety of minimal processing states (e.g., whole, cut, pureed, etc.) and/or forms (e.g., fresh, frozen, canned, dried, etc.) are also allowable.”
The definition provided in the RFP (page 10, also below) is the best available from USDA. Cheese is an example of an eligible minimally processed food, as long as that cheese doesn’t have added flavor. It couldn’t be a jalapeño cheddar, for example. Another example of an eligible minimally processed food is breakfast sausage. But not Italian sausage. Italian sausage is considered fully processed.
There isn’t a comprehensive list of items that are either considered fully processed or minimally processed. There is a list in the RFP, however, of some specific items that have previously been asked about and confirmed to be ineligible because they are considered fully processed. That includes kimchi, ham hocks, bacon (see page 9 for the list). It’s really case by case though so if you have specific questions let us know.
“Unprocessed or minimally processed: Examples of allowable food products include fruits and vegetables (including 100% juices); grain products such as pastas and rice; meats (whole, pieces, or food items such as ground meats); meat alternates such as beans or legumes; and, fluid milk and other dairy foods such as cheese and yogurt. Foods in a wide variety of minimal processing states (e.g., whole, cut, pureed, etc.) and/or forms (e.g., fresh, frozen, canned, dried, etc.) are also allowable.”
No, the 70% requirement creates leeway for food to be sourced from outside MN. All food needs to meet the USDA definition of local and regional food (see page 10 of the RFP), so the maximum distance it can travel between where it’s produced and where it’s distributed is 400 miles. Prior to Round 1 of funding we heard through public feedback that it was important to prioritize Minnesota farmers but to also have a broad range of sourcing options, especially for border communities. That’s where the requirement for minimum of 70% of food to be sourced from within the geographic boundaries of Minnesota comes from.
No, the 70% requirement creates leeway for food to be sourced from outside MN. All food needs to meet the USDA definition of local and regional food (see page 10 of the RFP), so the maximum distance it can travel between where it’s produced and where it’s distributed is 400 miles. Prior to Round 1 of funding we heard through public feedback that it was important to prioritize Minnesota farmers but to also have a broad range of sourcing options, especially for border communities. That’s where the requirement for minimum of 70% of food to be sourced from within the geographic boundaries of Minnesota comes from.
There are specific exceptions in this space for tribal communities, as confirmed with USDA. Tribal communities can offer food specifically for tribal members. In general though, for the majority of projects there can’t be conditions involved. For example, you can’t make someone attend a class in order to receive food or require a specific medical diagnosis in order to get food.
There are specific exceptions in this space for tribal communities, as confirmed with USDA. Tribal communities can offer food specifically for tribal members. In general though, for the majority of projects there can’t be conditions involved. For example, you can’t make someone attend a class in order to receive food or require a specific medical diagnosis in order to get food.
Food has to be available to people who need food. The implementation of that depends a lot on how programs are proposed and how they will advertise and how food is offered.
- An example of something that would not be eligible: you can’t go around the neighborhood with flyers specifically telling seniors to come to food distribution and then do something like check identification on site.
- An example of something that would be eligible: distribution could be through a school and the target recipient would therefore be students because they are in the vicinity of the school. But if someone else came that wasn’t a student and also indicated that they needed food, the food would have to be available to them.
Food has to be available to people who need food. The implementation of that depends a lot on how programs are proposed and how they will advertise and how food is offered.
- An example of something that would not be eligible: you can’t go around the neighborhood with flyers specifically telling seniors to come to food distribution and then do something like check identification on site.
- An example of something that would be eligible: distribution could be through a school and the target recipient would therefore be students because they are in the vicinity of the school. But if someone else came that wasn’t a student and also indicated that they needed food, the food would have to be available to them.
Not exactly. Increasing the amount of money that is used to purchase from farmers is one way to increase or expand but not the only way. Other ways to demonstrate an expansion could include changing types of products that are sourced, the number of farmers purchased from, or distribution locations, etc.
Not exactly. Increasing the amount of money that is used to purchase from farmers is one way to increase or expand but not the only way. Other ways to demonstrate an expansion could include changing types of products that are sourced, the number of farmers purchased from, or distribution locations, etc.
