MDA Grants Boost Fresh Food Access

By Scout Nelson

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) through the Good Food Access Program (GFAP). The grants aim to enhance access to fresh and culturally appropriate foods in low- and moderate-income areas. Here are the key details for each grant:

GFAP Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant:

• Purpose: To assist grocery stores and small food retailers in purchasing equipment or making physical improvements that increase the availability of affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods for underserved communities.
• Funding Amount: Up to $75,000 per project.
• Eligible Projects: Examples include the purchase and installation costs of shelving, coolers, freezers, mobile food trucks, permanent infrastructure at farmers' markets, or architectural work.
• Priority: Projects demonstrating positive economic and health impacts on underserved communities will be prioritized for funding.
• Application Deadline: March 28, 2024, by 4 p.m. Central Time.

GFAP Technical Assistance Grant:

• Purpose: To provide technical assistance to eligible food retailers (grocery stores, corner stores, farmers' markets) interested in offering affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods.
• Funding Amount: Between $5,000 and $50,000 per project; collaborative projects can request up to $200,000.
• Coverage: Grants can cover up to 75% of project costs.
• Eligible Activities: Technical assistance topics include business and succession planning, financing, marketing, food procurement or distribution, and handling and merchandising fresh foods.
• Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations, public agencies, for-profit businesses, and collaborative projects involving multiple technical assistance providers are eligible.
• Application Deadline: March 28, 2024, by 4 p.m. Central Time.

General Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must be located in or serve a census tract designated as a food desert.
• Alternatively, applicants must serve a substantial subpopulation, such as the elderly, disabled, or those in a low- or moderate-income census tract, with low supermarket access.
• Tribal communities and organizations serving Native American tribal communities are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Application materials for both grants are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, March 28, 2024. For full details on eligibility requirements and the application process, review the request for proposals (RFPs) posted on the GFAP Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant and the GFAP Technical Assistance Grant web pages.

Photo Credit: minnesota-department-of-agriculture