2010 Farmers Market Promotion Program Announced
03/04/2010 — Brent Morrison

USDA has announced the 2010 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Grants, which are designed to expand direct producer-to-consumer marketing opportunities (not just farmers markets, despite the program’s name).   Proposals may include projects addressing issues related to farmers markets, agritourism activities, community supported agriculture programs, roadside stands, and other direct producer-to-consumer marketing channels.  Following is a brief summary; see official program rules for full details.

See information below regarding:Vineyard

 

General information:

  • Eligible applicants:  Agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer (trade) associations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, and tribal governments.  Individual producers may not apply. 
  • Funding amounts:  Projects will be funded in amounts between $2,500 and $100,000, with a total of $5 million available in 2010.
  • Exclusions:  FMPP funds cannot be used for land/buildings, political activities, existing or pending funded activities, and certain other activities. 
  • One-step process: Funding decisions are made on the basis of one round of applications.
  • Multiple applications: Any eligible entity can submit more than one application for review. However, only one grant per entity will be awarded.
  • Electronic Benefits Transfers:  Ten percent of awards must go to EBT projects. 

 

Project examples:

  • Activities appropriate for FMPP grants include, but are not limited to:
  • Development of a direct producer-to-consumer marketing association or other organization.
  • Direct marketing of agricultural commodities.
  • Enhancing product value and sales.
  • Infrastructure for electronic purchasing, value-added processing and packaging, and refrigerated storage.
  • Facility planning and/or design.
  • The use and effect of market promotion and the measurement of its impact.
  • Consumer education that addresses new food and agricultural products, and product applications with a required emphasis on the assessment, evaluation, and impact of such education on consumer patronage at eligible markets/entities.
  • Training, education, networking, and technical assistance.
  • Transportation and delivery systems.
  • Alternative purchasing methods, such as Women, Infants, and Children Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (WIC-FMNP); Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) coupons, and debit/credit technologies.
  • Assessment, evaluation, and impact of the vendors and/or markets in providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income households, children, and seniors.
  • Business planning, market growth management, and recordkeeping.
  • Consumer trends and/or changing ethnic demographics, and their relationship to customer purchasing patterns.
  • Farmers market startups.
  • Food safety and handling.
  • Green/renewable technology.
  • Increasing farmer revenue and efficiency, or reducing expenses.
  • Operational or market management issues.
  • Strategies for addressing liability coverage and insurance.
  • Waste management/recycling.

 

Priorities:

 In addition to the above mentioned grant uses, USDA has identified priorities for 2010. Although proposals in the following categories are particularly encouraged, all eligible projects will receive full consideration.Berries

  • “Growing Farmers:” Projects that develop training and educational programs for new direct farm marketers on the benefits, challenges, and logistics of agricultural direct marketing in a given region. 
  • “Professional Development:” Projects that develop professional expertise for farmers market managers, farmers/vendors, boards, and organizations to effectively manage and/or operate farmers markets and other direct marketing enterprises. 
  • “Expanding Local and Rural Economies:” Projects that improve food access in local, rural, and underserved communities to promote the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms.

 

Key dates:

  • April 15, 2010:  Applications due.
  • September 30, 2010:  Grant agreements announced on or before.
  • October/November 2010:  Awardees attend mandatory orientation, start projects, and receive funding.
  • Grant-funded project work cannot begin before October 1, 2010, and must end on or before October 31, 2012.

 

How to apply:

Applicants may submit their application by express mail or courier (which we recommend), or electronically.

 

Matching funds:

Matching funds and in-kind contributions are not required.

 

For more details, see the full Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

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