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You must complete this Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Grower Agreement by June 15, 2025. We will not process late applications. If you have questions, contact the FMNP staff at fmnp.mda@state.mn.us

NOTE: You may NOT accept FMNP coupons before you receive written authorization from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. You must apply for authorization each year.

Indicates required field
Do you participate in Wisconsin or Iowa's FMNP programs also?
Preferred communication method
Preferred language
Eligibility
I farm in Minnesota or a bordering state (Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin).
I grow ALL the fruits, vegetables, and herbs that I sell at FMNP authorized markets.
I purchase fruits, vegetables, or herbs from someone else (e.g. friend, neighbor, or wholesaler) that I sell at FMNP authorized markets.


Any items purchased from another grower or wholesaler are NOT eligible FMNP items.

Markets

(we will send you a separate email with the market agreement form)

These are last year’s authorized FMNP farmers’ markets. Check the market(s) where you are a member:
Grower Status
I am a new FMNP grower.

(4-digit # located on your grower sign)

Do you need new grower signs?
Agreement

By checking the box, you agree that you have read and understood the statement. To participate in this program, you must check every box.

Privacy Notice

Some data provided in this application may be classified by the Minnesota Data Practices Act or other law as private or non-public. Access to private or non-public data is limited by law to MDA staff and contractors with a valid work assignment to access the data, parties authorized by the applicant or by a valid court order, Minnesota Management and Budget, Minnesota Department of Administration, the state auditor, the legislative auditor and any other entity or person authorized by state law, federal law, or federal subpoena. If necessary, the MDA may also share the data with law enforcement or the office of the Minnesota Attorney General. The information provided will be used to assess if an applicant is eligible to receive payment under this program. Applicants are not legally required to provide the information requested in this application, but only completed applications will be considered.

Terms and Conditions of the 2025 FMNP Vendor Agreement

This agreement is effective the date the state obtains all required signatures and expires on December 1, 2025, unless terminated earlier by either party. Growers must maintain membership in an authorized farmers’ market and attend any required trainings as determined by the MDA for this agreement to remain in effect. Growers must obtain written approval by the MDA each market season before accepting FMNP checks.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGREES TO:

  1. reimburse you for coupons cashed and submitted in accordance with the provisions of the FMNP policies and procedures;
  2. provide training on procedures for the FMNP; and
  3. monitor the FMNPs and provide written notification of noncompliance.

BY SUBMITTING THIS DOCUMENT, YOU AGREE TO:

  1. accept and redeem FMNP coupons presented to you in accordance with the FMNP;
  2. accept FMNP coupons only for locally grown fresh, unprocessed produce in accordance with program procedures;
  3. redeem 2025 FMNP coupons from June 15 through October 31 and deposit coupons by November 10;
  4. only accept FMNP coupons for produce that were personally grown by you (no wholesale);
  5. not exchange FMNP coupons for cash or give change for produce purchased with coupons but to make every reasonable attempt to provide customers produce equal to the full value of the coupon;
  6. post product prices and charge FMNP coupon customers no more for produce than cash patrons;
  7. abide by all federal and state nondiscrimination legislation and not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. Participants who wish to file a civil rights complaint should contact the market manager;
  8. accept FMNP coupons only when participating at an authorized farmers’ market;
  9. ensure that all persons acting on your behalf at the market are aware of the FMNP procedures;
  10. be monitored for compliance, including, at the discretion of the MDA, a growing site inspection;
  11. (markets only) coordinate with authorized vendors to ensure that an authorized grower is present at the market during all normal market hours of operation and inform the MDA if you choose to withdraw from the program;
  12. complete and return a confidential survey of the program at the end of the growing season if requested;
  13. reimburse the state for any FMNP coupons transacted in violation of this agreement; and
  14. not seek recourse or repayment from a FMNP customer if reimbursement is refused by the MDA.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. fax: 202-690-7442; or
  3. email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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March 5, 2025

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is notifying consumers of a recall of Thousand Hills Local Farms beef products from Lakewinds Food Co-op of Richfield due to metal contamination. This recall is being issued after staff at the Richfield Lakewinds location and a customer identified metal shot or BBs in beef products. It is unknown at this time how the contamination occurred.

The recalled product was sold fresh (not frozen) from the Lakewinds Food Co-op located at 6420 Lyndale Ave S. in Richfield and can be identified by the lot code on the package sticker (see photo below). The following two lots of products are being recalled:

  • Lot code 25024
  • Lot code 25034

The following Thousand Hills beef products with the above lot coding are being recalled out of an abundance of caution:

  • Bottom round roasts
  • Stew meat
  • Top round steaks and roasts
  • Stir fry meat
  • Sirloin tip steaks and roasts
  • Eye of round steaks and roasts
  • Ground beef

No other lots of Lakewinds Food Co-op beef or Thousand Hills products are affected by the recall. If you have recalled product in your home, you should throw it out or return it to the Richfield Lakewinds Food Coop for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact the Richfield Lakewinds Food Co-op directly by calling 952-512-2199 or by email at lakewinds@lakewinds.com.

Lakewinds Food Co-op food recall product label for Thousand Hills Local Farms Beef Stew 100% Grass Fed Beef.
Example of a product label with lot code 25034.

 

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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us