1. We are a start-up food-coop/grocery store. Would this be a good fit with our mission and desire to connect local farmers and producers to local people? (Posted 4/4. Update 4/13.)
A food co-op/grocery store would be eligible to apply. Note that 100% of the food purchased through this program would need to be distributed at no cost, without conditions for the end users. At least 75% of the food distribution locations must meet the definition of underserved communities. The full definition of underserved is included in the Request for Applications on page 10; this includes Black, Indigenous, and communities of color; members of religious minorities; LGBTQ+ persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and, persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

 

No

Both scenarios are eligible - either a farmer or another entity could apply. Lead applicants are required to partner with at least one other person or organization to manage the project. We cannot advise on who the lead applicant should be. When deciding what makes sense for your potential project, note that the lead applicant will be legally responsible for the grant contract, reporting, and financial management. Lead applicants must get a Unique Entity ID from the federal System for Award Management (SAM.gov), disburse funding to subrecipients and contractors as applicable, and follow guidance for allowable expenses (see pages 7-9 of the Request for Applications and Appendix D). Additional information about grantee (lead applicant) requirements are on pages 11-12 and 15 -16 of the Request for Applications.

If you are in need of someone to work with as a lead applicant, or are a potential lead applicant that can offer your services to others, one option is to advertise to the public via an online directory form and find potential contacts by viewing the public responses.

2. Who is this for – is it for a farmer to apply and work with a business to market their goods, or for a business or entity that could purchase local grown goods from a farmer? Which would make more sense? (Posted 4/4)

Both scenarios are eligible - either a farmer or another entity could apply. Lead applicants are required to partner with at least one other person or organization to manage the project. We cannot advise on who the lead applicant should be. When deciding what makes sense for your potential project, note that the lead applicant will be legally responsible for the grant contract, reporting, and financial management. Lead applicants must get a Unique Entity ID from the federal System for Award Management (SAM.gov), disburse funding to subrecipients and contractors as applicable, and follow guidance for allowable expenses (see pages 7-9 of the Request for Applications and Appendix D). Additional information about grantee (lead applicant) requirements are on pages 11-12 and 15 -16 of the Request for Applications.

If you are in need of someone to work with as a lead applicant, or are a potential lead applicant that can offer your services to others, one option is to advertise to the public via an online directory form and find potential contacts by viewing the public responses.

No

A food co-op/grocery store would be eligible to apply. Note that 100% of the food purchased through this program would need to be distributed at no cost, without conditions for the end users. At least 75% of the food distribution locations must meet the definition of underserved communities. The full definition of underserved is included in the Request for Applications on page 10; this includes Black, Indigenous, and communities of color; members of religious minorities; LGBTQ+ persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and, persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

 

Both scenarios are eligible - either a farmer or another entity could apply. Lead applicants are required to partner with at least one other person or organization to manage the project. We cannot advise on who the lead applicant should be. When deciding what makes sense for your potential project, note that the lead applicant will be legally responsible for the grant contract, reporting, and financial management. Lead applicants must get a Unique Entity ID from the federal System for Award Management (SAM.gov), disburse funding to subrecipients and contractors as applicable, and follow guidance for allowable expenses (see pages 7-9 of the Request for Applications and Appendix D). Additional information about grantee (lead applicant) requirements are on pages 11-12 and 15 -16 of the Request for Applications.

If you are in need of someone to work with as a lead applicant, or are a potential lead applicant that can offer your services to others, one option is to advertise to the public via an online directory form and find potential contacts by viewing the public responses.

A farm in Wisconsin could work with a lead applicant as either a partner or a collaborator and be a potential source for food depending on the farm’s exact location and the location where the food will be distributed to the end consumer. A farm in Wisconsin would not be eligible to submit an application themselves. A lead applicant’s legal business entity must be located in Minnesota. 

All food sourced must meet the definition of local and regional food. The full definition is on page 10 of the Request for Applications; for products sourced outside of Minnesota the total distance that the product travels between the farm where the product originates and the point of sale to the end consumer must be at most 400 miles. Up to 30% of food purchased (by monetary value) can be from outside of Minnesota provided it means this definition. At least 70% of food purchased must be sourced from within the geographic boundaries of Minnesota. All of the food purchased must be distributed to communities in Minnesota.   

Because you mentioned that you currently sell/donate food to organizations in Minnesota, please also note that projects must supplement (i.e., increase or expand) existing food procurement and food distribution activities. 

An applicant and project partners can be in rural or local metro/urban areas. The intent of this program is to buy food from socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers and get it to underserved communities throughout the state.
Please see additional related information in Question 1 in this section.

A person or organization may be a part of more than one application but can only be the lead on one. Proposals should be unique and should not be duplicative in purpose or be the same proposal with rotating leads to the project.

Yes, a church program would be eligible to apply. Note that individuals cannot have conditions placed on them to receive the food.

A lead applicant must get a Unique Entity ID from the federal System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and provide this ID as part of their application. An individual is eligible to get a UEI and submit a MN LFPA application on behalf of a community collaboration if desired. Please see additional information about requirements for lead applicants in Question 2 of this Q&A section (Applicant Eligibility). 

Groups that are not formally organized may also choose to work in partnership with formally organized groups. Partnerships can include fiscal sponsorship. If you are in need of someone to work with as a lead applicant, or are in search of other potential partnerships or collaborations, one option is to advertise to the public via an online directory form and find potential contacts by viewing the public responses.

A farm in Wisconsin could work with a lead applicant as either a partner or a collaborator and be a potential source for food depending on the farm’s exact location and the location where the food will be distributed to the end consumer. A farm in Wisconsin would not be eligible to submit an application themselves. A lead applicant’s legal business entity must be located in Minnesota. 

All food sourced must meet the definition of local and regional food. The full definition is on page 10 of the Request for Applications; for products sourced outside of Minnesota the total distance that the product travels between the farm where the product originates and the point of sale to the end consumer must be at most 400 miles. Up to 30% of food purchased (by monetary value) can be from outside of Minnesota provided it means this definition. At least 70% of food purchased must be sourced from within the geographic boundaries of Minnesota. All of the food purchased must be distributed to communities in Minnesota.   

Because you mentioned that you currently sell/donate food to organizations in Minnesota, please also note that projects must supplement (i.e., increase or expand) existing food procurement and food distribution activities. 

3. We're a farm in Wisconsin but sell food/ donate to organizations in MN. Would the organizations need to apply for grant to pay us a stipend so we can give more? Or could we apply for grant and use stipend to give to multiple non-profits?  (Posted 4/5)

A farm in Wisconsin could work with a lead applicant as either a partner or a collaborator and be a potential source for food depending on the farm’s exact location and the location where the food will be distributed to the end consumer. A farm in Wisconsin would not be eligible to submit an application themselves. A lead applicant’s legal business entity must be located in Minnesota. 

All food sourced must meet the definition of local and regional food. The full definition is on page 10 of the Request for Applications; for products sourced outside of Minnesota the total distance that the product travels between the farm where the product originates and the point of sale to the end consumer must be at most 400 miles. Up to 30% of food purchased (by monetary value) can be from outside of Minnesota provided it means this definition. At least 70% of food purchased must be sourced from within the geographic boundaries of Minnesota. All of the food purchased must be distributed to communities in Minnesota.   

Because you mentioned that you currently sell/donate food to organizations in Minnesota, please also note that projects must supplement (i.e., increase or expand) existing food procurement and food distribution activities. 

No

Applicant Eligibility

Project Eligibility

A farm in Minnesota could submit an application and partner with area restaurants or grocery stores, provided that all food purchased using program funds is distributed at no cost and with no conditions for the end-user. At least 75% of food distribution locations must meet the definition of underserved communities. The full definition of underserved is included in the Request for Applications on page 10.

If all food being sourced and purchased with this funding was from the farm (or multiple farms) in Minnesota, that would meet the requirement that at least 70% of food purchased must be sourced from within the geographic boundaries of Minnesota. There is also a requirement that at least 70% of food purchases must be sourced from socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers. This includes: farmers of color; American Indian or Alaskan Native farmers; women; veterans; farmers with disabilities; young farmers; beginning farmers; and LGBTQ+ farmers. A farm/farms that do not identify as socially disadvantaged and emerging could provide up to 30% of a project’s food purchases if desired.

1. Could MN farmer be a lead applicant & partner with area restaurants/grocery stores? Would we need to show that 70% or more of our sales are of products grown in MN, or that 70% of partner purchases/sales have to be locally produced? (4/7. Update 4/13)

A farm in Minnesota could submit an application and partner with area restaurants or grocery stores, provided that all food purchased using program funds is distributed at no cost and with no conditions for the end-user. At least 75% of food distribution locations must meet the definition of underserved communities. The full definition of underserved is included in the Request for Applications on page 10.

If all food being sourced and purchased with this funding was from the farm (or multiple farms) in Minnesota, that would meet the requirement that at least 70% of food purchased must be sourced from within the geographic boundaries of Minnesota. There is also a requirement that at least 70% of food purchases must be sourced from socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers. This includes: farmers of color; American Indian or Alaskan Native farmers; women; veterans; farmers with disabilities; young farmers; beginning farmers; and LGBTQ+ farmers. A farm/farms that do not identify as socially disadvantaged and emerging could provide up to 30% of a project’s food purchases if desired.

No