USDALFPPQuestions@ams.usda.gov

The Local Food Promotion Program provides grants to support the development, coordination, and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises to help increase access and availability to locally and regionally produced agricultural products.

Funding may support two types of projects.

• Planning Grants for the planning stages of establishing or expanding a local and regional food business enterprise
  • Market research
  • Feasibility studies
  • Business planning
• Implementation Grants for establishing a new local and regional food business enterprise, or to improve or expand an existing local or regional food business enterprise
  • Training and technical assistance for the business enterprise and/or for producers working with the business enterprise
  • Outreach and marketing to buyers and consumers
  • Non-construction infrastructure improvements to business enterprise facilities and information technology systems

Priority will be given to projects that benefit communities located in areas of concentrated poverty with limited access to supermarkets

Eligible entities include:

• Agricultural businesses and cooperatives
• Producer networks and associations
• Community supported agriculture networks and associations
• Other agricultural business entities (for-profit groups)
• Nonprofit and public benefit corporations
• Economic development corporations
• Regional farmers market authorities
• Local and tribal governments

Estimated number of awards: 60
Estimated total program funding: $115,000,000

Award size varies by project type.

• Planning Grants:
  
  • Award ceiling: $100,000 per year
  • Award floor: $25,000 per year
  • Project period: 18 months
• Implementation Grants:
  • Award ceiling: $500,000 per year
  • Award floor: $100,000 per year
  • Project period: 3 years

Links to the full announcement and online application process are available through grants.gov. The application instructions will be found on the related documents tab.