This week we are featuring the USDA Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program Grants. If you're interested in applying, check out the following webinars to learn more:

Local Food in Government Statistics
National Farm to Institution Metrics Collaborative Webinar
Tuesday, May 28 - 3:30-4:00pm EDT Registration Link

LFPP/FMPP Proposals: The Insider’s Scoop
Designed to help with Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program applications
Wednesday, May 29 - 2:00-3:15pm EDT Registration Link

Crafting LFPP/FMPP Grant Proposals 
Link to Webinar - This one is archived, so you can watch it anytime

Please find more information about the programs below. 

Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants

Deadline: June 18, 2019
Funding Amounts: $50,000 up to $500,000  - NEW - 25% match required.
Eligible Entities: Agricultural businesses, agricultural cooperatives, community supported agriculture (CSA) networks, CSA associations, economic development corporations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, producer networks, producer associates, public benefit corporations, regional farmers’ market authorities, and tribal governments.
Links: http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fmpp and https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fmpp/awards
Overview: The Farmers Market Promotion Program provides grants for innovative projects to promote new market opportunities for direct producer-to-consumer sales. The purpose/objectives of the FMPP grant program are "to increase domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products and to develop new marketing opportunity for farm operations serving local markets by developing, improving, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance." The funds can pay for a broad range of activities including advertising, marketing campaigns, personnel, education, training, outreach, and some equipment. 

Local Food Promotion Program Grants

Deadline: June 18, 2019
Funding Amounts: $25,000 to 500,000 - 25% match required!
Eligible Entities: Agricultural businesses, agricultural cooperatives, community supported agriculture (CSA) networks, CSA associations, economic development corporations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, producer networks, producer associates, public benefit corporations, regional farmers’ market authorities, and Tribal governments.
Links: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp and https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp/awards 
Overview: The Local Food Promotion Program can be used for planning or working capital to support businesses or organizations that act as an intermediary between producers and consumers as part of the supply chain by aggregating, storing, processing, and/or distributing local food products. 

• Planning Grants are designed to help agricultural businesses and local communities conduct feasibility studies, do market research, and develop business plans to determine the viability of local and regional business enterprises. Planning grants must be completed within an eighteen-month time frame. 

• Implementation Grants are designed to provide technical support and to help expand new local and regional food enterprises and/or to improve and grow the abilities of existing local or regional food enterprises. LFPP grants must be completed in a three-year time frame.