Application update
We discovered on February 13, 2025, that the online USDA Rural Development map tool used to determine whether the farmers’ market is located in a distressed or disadvantaged community is no longer available to view. Due to this grant closing on February 20, 2025, we have decided to remove the “distressed or disadvantaged communities” priority points from the Project Evaluation Profile. Responses entered under the “distressed or disadvantaged communities” question will not be scored. All grant applications will now be evaluated using a possible score of 95 points.
The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Assistance Grant helps Minnesota farmers’ markets support food assistance programs such as: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), Market Bucks, and Power of Produce (POP) Club.
Funding availability
Approximately $150,000 is available for this program. We expect to award 15 to 30 grants, but the final number depends on the size of the awards.
- You may request between $1,500 to $10,000 per farmers’ market association.
- There is no match requirement for this grant.
- If the project proposal is approved the farmers’ market association may request an advance of up to 50% as part of the application process.
Eligibility
To apply, you must:
- Be a Minnesota farmers’ market.
- Farmers’ markets are defined as an association of three or more persons who assemble at a defined location that is open to the public for the purpose of selling directly to the consumer the products of a farm or garden occupied and cultivated by the persons selling the product (MINN. STAT. 28A.151).
- Intend to participate in at least one nutrition assistance program that provides food directly to program participants at the farmers’ market in 2025.
Eligible expenses and projects include, but are not limited to:
- Salary or stipends for staff or volunteers needed to support food assistance program(s)
- Implementing a new nutrition assistance program at the market
- Program specific signage
- Storage
- Printing of program tokens or other program materials
- Technology upgrades
- Transportation for bringing participants to the farmers’ market
- SNAP/EBT card processing fees
- Program advertising
Ineligible expenses
The following items are examples of expenses that are not eligible for reimbursement:
- Expenditures incurred before the contract effective date or after its expiration date
- Expenses that are reimbursed by another state or federal program
- General business expenses such as rent, utilities, licensing, insurance, or registration fees
- Fundraising
- Taxes, except sales tax on goods and services and payroll taxes
- Lobbyists, political contributions
- Bad debts, late payment fees, finance charges, or contingency funds
- Parking violations and traffic violations
- Donated or volunteer (in-kind) services. While these may be given to an applicant by professional and technical personnel, consultants, and other skilled and unskilled labor, the value of these services is not an eligible cost.
Informational Video
Check out the Farmers' Market Nutrition Assistance Information Video for basic information on the grant program and application process.
Applying
Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on February 20, 2025.
- Carefully read the full Farmers’ Market Nutrition Assistance Request for Proposals (PDF) for eligibility and requirements.
- Note: The PDF Request for Proposals contains links to the USDA Rural Development map tool that is no longer available; see the application update for more information.
- If you have trouble opening the PDF, try another browser – Edge and Chrome work well.
- Apply online.
- If you are a new user, you will need to create an account.
- Once you are logged in, select "Farmers’ Market Nutrition Assistance Grant.”
If you can't apply online, contact us for other options.
Questions
Here are some common questions about the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Assistance Grant program. If you have questions that are not addressed here, email them to MDA.AGRIGrants@state.mn.us with "Farmers’ Market Nutrition Assistance Grant" in the subject line. We will add to this list as questions are received.
Q: How will I know if my application was received?
A: We will email a confirmation after receiving your online application.
Q: Our farmers’ market applied for the Farmers' Market Cost-Share program, are we eligible to apply for the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Assistance Grant as well?
A: Yes - these are two separate programs, and you can apply to both.
Q: Can funding be used to cover Power of Produce (PoP) Club reimbursements?
A: You can submit expenses that support the program such as purchasing tokens, printed materials, or staff time. Funds used to cover the food costs when redeeming the tokens are NOT an eligible expense.
Q: Our farmers’ market is managed by a local non-profit, are we eligible to apply?
A: Yes - some markets are managed by their city, local church, or other non-profits. If you project proposal is accepted you will be asked to complete a IRS W-9 tax form. The information on the IRS W-9 will be used to complete the grant contract and issue payments. The IRS W-9 should either be completed with the farmers’ market tax ID number or the organization that manages the market tax ID number.
Q: Can I submit projects for multiple programs?
A: Yes – You can submit one application with projects for multiple food assistance programs.
Q: If our grant is approved, when would we receive the advance payment?
A: After the contract is fully signed and has reached the start date, the advance payment will be processed. You should receive the advance payment in approximately in 2-4 weeks.
