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On May 5, AMS announced the availability of $92.2 million in competitive grant funding for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Programs (FMLFPP) and Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) program to support the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises, and value-added agricultural products.
 Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) $76.9 million is available for FMLFPP. Projects under the Farmers Market Promotion Program support direct-to-consumer markets like farmers markets and CSAs. Projects under the Local Food Promotion Program supports indirect-to-consumer markets like food hubs and value-added product incubators. Applications are due by
June 21, 2021.
Here are two examples of past grant recipients:
- FMPP funds supported the Community Farmers Market, Inc. in Atlanta, GA, increasing market sales at the Fresh MARTA Markets through educational events, a best practices manual and other partnerships. The semi-permanent farm stands are located at Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) stations taking advantage of high traffic locations.
- With a LFPP grant, the National Center for Frontier Communities in Silver City, NM is creating a year-round, aggregated CSA that will expand the market opportunities currently available to producers selling to the food hub.
- For more examples and inspiration, check out Seeds of Success: Digging into the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program
$15.3 million is available through RFSP to fund public-private partnerships that build and strengthen viability and resilience of local or regional food economies. Projects should focus on increasing the availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products and alleviating unnecessary administrative and technical barriers. Projects can cover the planning and design of a local and regional food economy as well as implementing or expanding an existing one. Applications are due by July 6, 2021.
RSFP awarded its first round of grant projects in 2020. The Tiny Seed Project, Inc., East Hardwick, VT, is assisting Northeast Grainshed Partnership, a networking hub and planning initiative, to connect grain-related businesses and organizations. In addition to establishing this regional framework, it is creating connections across the Northeast region through consumer awareness and education to increase demand for regionally produced and processed grains.
Both FMLFPP and RFSP are competitive and undergo peer reviews prior to awarding funding. Grant reviewers help AMS select the best applicants. Reviewers are chosen from the public and private sectors for specific grant programs based on knowledge, education, and experience. Reviewers use their expertise to objectively evaluate and score applications against published evaluation criteria. Reviewers gain understanding of the grant-making process and have the opportunity to network with colleagues that often share common backgrounds and interests. Stipends are available!
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Through an existing cooperative agreement, AMS has partnered with 11 organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance with a focus on socially disadvantaged, rural, and other historically underrepresented grant applicants. These organizations are:
- CSA Innovation Network
- Farm to Institution New England
- Farms to Grow
- Famers Market Coalition
- The Food Corridor
- Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative
- Local Catch Network
- National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation
- Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network
- North Carolina A&T University
- The Wallace Center
These partners will provide a variety of support, including outreach webinars, office hours for one-on-one assistance, and resource sharing to the targeted communities. For specific questions regarding this targeted technical assistance opportunity, please reach out to Yvette Garcia (yvette.garcia@usda.gov) or Samantha Schaffstall (samantha.schaffstall@usda.gov).
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USDA is seeking comments on a Department-wide effort to improve and reimagine the supply chains for the production, processing and distribution of agricultural commodities and food products. USDA is taking this action in response to Executive Order 14017, America’s Supply Chains, signed by President Biden on Feb. 24, 2021.
The comments received will help USDA assess the critical factors, risks, and strategies needed to support resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains and ensure U.S. economic prosperity, national security, and nutrition security for all Americans. Such supply chains are needed to address conditions that can reduce critical processing and infrastructure capacity and the availability and integrity of critical goods, products, and services. Identifying food system supply chain bottlenecks and vulnerabilities also may provide valuable insights into the competitive and fair markets landscape, effects on local and regional producers and processors, and equitable access to food and economic opportunity across diverse communities. USDA will use the comments to prepare a report required by Executive Order 14017.
PreK and K-12 Schools as Access Points for Local Food
The COVID-19 pandemic caused the abrupt shut down of schools and many early care and education sites across the country – thereby eliminating school meals, a vital source of nutritious food for many children.
In addition to - or as an alternative to federally funded programs - communities developed their own ways to respond to and provide access to food. By partnering with philanthropic organizations, city governments, and non-profit community organizations, many schools became central distribution points for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, local food boxes, or grocery bags- all broadly referred to as “food share programs.” Communities also used the opportunity to prioritize purchasing from local food producers, especially farms that have historically not had access to institutional markets and federal supports, including small farms and farms owned by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), to supply these programs.
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 When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many farmers markets shut down. As guidance on social distancing and public health emerged, farmers markets altered their structure to comply and continue serving vendors and customers safely and effectively. Some changed to contactless drive-thru or curbside models, where customers pre-ordered products online or by phone before picking them up in their vehicles. Others opted for crowd control measures or limited entry designs, allowing a limited number of visitors into the market at a time to allow maximum social distancing. In addition, some markets changed their model altogether from a traditional farmers market to a local food aggregator.
The Consumer Food Insights Series shares analyses from a survey conducted by Colorado State University of 5,000 households in the fall of 2020. The most recent release explores how consumer perceptions and time impact expenditures during the pandemic. The main takeaway messages are:
- More consumers shifted to local and regional food markets, particularly small, independent food stores and artisan food stores. These are important market access points for local producers.
- Transparency and evidence of “locally grown” is important for buyers of local foods.
- Examples of information that could be shared include: a map of farm and location of markets and restaurants where farm products can be found; number of years the business has been part of the community; and information about the farmer or business owner the customer is supporting).
- Restaurants do not seem to gain business from local food buyers, even if independent and locally owned. Perhaps local restaurants who do want to position themselves with local food enthusiasts will see these results as a reason to align with the local producers and food markets to jointly promote the local food scene in their community.
On May 26, the USDA will host a free, virtual innovation fair to highlight businesses that are creating state-of-the-art technical solutions to reduce food loss and waste. Participants will host virtual booths showcasing their food loss and waste activities, products, and innovations. Examples may include new packaging that keeps produce fresher, longer, or food products made from misshapen fruit. The fair will also showcase food sector industry leaders who are committed to reducing food loss and waste in their operations.
Each month we’re highlighting the work of Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion grant recipients.
 In 2001, REAP Food Group, headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, developed the Farm Fresh Atlas of Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas, an annual print guide which listed farmers, farmers markets and businesses selling locally, sustainably grown agricultural products. The success of the guide inspired other organizations across the state to take up the initiative for their respective regions under the Farm Fresh Atlas name.
In 2016, REAP Food Group received a Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grant to launch, promote, and study the effects of a searchable, mobile-friendly, and on-line Farm Fresh Atlas, consolidating the regional listings into one statewide site. FMPP funds allowed REAP Food Group to successfully consolidate and publish the Farm Fresh Atlases on one platform under a single website at farmfreshatlas.org. As a result of the publication and promotion of the webpage:
- Sales increased by 50% from 2017 to 2019
- Weekly customer counts increased 293% from 394 in 2017 to 1,500 in 2019
- A three-year economic survey of farmers indicated 80% had increased sales resulting from the guides, an increase of $4.1 million in state farm economy
- Forty-six beginning farmers and 322 experienced farmers received marketing training and resources to further advance their businesses.
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Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association (PCFMA) is the oldest and largest farmers market association on the West Coast managing over 50 markets across the Bay Area and connecting California farmers with many local communities.
In 2014, PCFMA received a Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) Planning grant to explore the feasibility of connecting the local farmers and the food entrepreneurs in their markets to potentially enhance sales and profitability for both parties.
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