FMLFPPGrants@usda.gov

The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) offers grants to projects that assist in the development, coordination, and expansion of domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community‐supported agriculture (CSA) programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer‐to‐consumer market opportunities.

Funding may support three types of projects.

1. Capacity building
   Projects that have a direct benefit for farm and ranch operations serving local markets, such as:
   • Developing tools, techniques or practices that can be rapidly adopted by local agriculture markets, including those that provide direct financial support to a network of markets, or other relevant organizations
   • Market analysis and strategic planning for a direct producer-to-consumer market opportunity
   • Local farmer, rancher, or market manager startup training and education, including education related to acceptance of SNAP, WIC, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition program, or other state, local, or nonprofit benefit programs at farmers markets
   • Farmer's market, roadside stand, CSA, agritourism, or online sales activity startup, operation and/or expansion
   • Recruitment, outreach and retention of new, beginning, and underserved farmers and ranchers, as well as to new and existing consumers in support of direct producer-to-consumer markets
2. Community development, training, and technical assistance
   Projects that support the applicant's efforts to provide outreach, training, and technical assistance to farm and ranch operations serving local markets, such as:
   • Developing and disseminating tools, techniques, or practices that can be rapidly adopted by local agriculture markets
   • Conducting statewide or regional training for farmers, ranchers, or managers to help them develop or maintain their own direct producer-to-consumer enterprise
   • Assisting farmers and ranchers in advertising and promoting their locally and regionally produced agricultural products, including value-added products, through training and technical assistance
   • Promoting that a market accepts SNAP or other public benefits, such as WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, to customers and how customers can use those programs at the market or with individual vendors
   • Establishing or expanding producer-to-consumer networks and organizations on a state, regional, and national level, which includes efforts to develop sourcing channels using direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities with corporate, nonprofit, and institutional buyers
   • Providing technical support for small- and mid-sized producers to become compliant with regulatory and buyer specifications and standards to increase their direct market opportunities
3. Turnkey Marketing and Promotion Grants to support the marketing and promotion of direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities through a streamlined approach to common FMPP grant activities. Applicants select at least 3 pre-defined activities, which include:
   • Identify and analyze new/improved market opportunities
   • Develop/revise a marketing plan
   • Design/purchase marketing and promotion media
   • Implement a marketing plan
   • Evaluate marketing and promotion activities

Priority will be given to projects that benefit communities located in low income/low food access (LI/LA) census tracts.

Eligible entities include:

• Agricultural businesses and cooperatives
• Producer networks and associations
• Community supported agriculture (CSA) networks and associations
• Food councils
• Local governments
• Nonprofit corporations
• Public benefit corporations
• Economic development corporations
• Regional farmers market authorities
• Tribal governments

Capacity building projects

• Award ceiling: $250,000
• Award floor: $50,000
• Project period: 36 months

Community Development Training and Technical Assistance

• Award ceiling: $500,000
• Award floor: $100,000
• Project period: 36 months

Turnkey Marketing and Promotion Grants

• Award ceiling: $100,000
• Award floor: $50,000
• Project period: 24 months

A 25% cash or in-kind match from non-federal sources is required.

Links to the full announcement, application instructions, and the online application process are available through grants.gov.

Additional guidance and required forms are available on the program website.