Request for Applications for Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program 2025 (New York)

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is pleased to announce the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program.

Donor Name: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

State: New York

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 05/27/2025

Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000

Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year

Details:

To ensure a more resilient food supply chain, the State will fund the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program. Grant funds must be used to increase farmers’ markets’ resiliency.

For this grant program, farmers’ market resiliency is defined as:

a commitment to long-term market viability, sustainability, and accessibility
the ability to recover from or adapt to changes and adversity in the farmers’ market environment and/or the local community

Examples of projects supported by this program include the development and enhancement of farmers’ market infrastructure, online infrastructure, marketing and outreach efforts, and/or delivery capabilities across the state.

Funding Information

A total of $1,000,000 in funding is available through this Request for Applications
Applications must request an award amount no less than $25,000 and no greater than $50,000 for the project to be considered.

Grant Period

Projects terms will begin on April 1, 2025.
Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.

Eligible Costs

Grant funds may be used for any of the following purposes directly related to the completion of an eligible project. Eligible costs include but are not limited to:

Salaries and wages tied to grant projects, excluding fringe benefits
- Budgets must include no more than 50% of grant funds dedicated to Salary
Subawards to producers to pay for expenses promoting long-term market attendance. Producers eligible for subawards must be attending the applicant’s listed Farmers’ Market(s).
- Examples include: equipment used to ensure proper handling and safety of farmers’ market food and/or non-food products, storage costs, marketing materials and promotions, and more
- Subawards are not eligible to be used on salary, rent, market attendance stipends, or other non-tangible supports
Contractor Services
Supplies, materials, and non-electronic equipment directly related to project
Electronic equipment purchases for grant project (with 50% cost-share component)
Permanent physical/structural improvements
Insurance and permits (excluding the insurance or permit costs to operate a farmers’ market)
Marketing and Outreach
Transportation costs (including the leasing of a vehicle for a two-year period)
Internet platform development for online ordering, sale, and pickup
Electronic or information technology infrastructure
Storage costs necessary for product transportation to farmers’ markets, including rental of cold storage to be used by one or more farmers’
- Budgets must include no more than 50% of grant funds dedicated to Space/Utilities.

Eligible Projects

All complete applications will be awarded funding on a first-come, first-serve basis. Project’s activities must align with one or more objectives of the program which are:
- To build resilient and stable local food systems
- to help maintain long-term farmers’ market viability
- to promote and maintain farmed-food access through New York State’s farmers’ markets
Applicants must submit a detailed work plan and budget for their proposed project.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants Include:
- Registered Not-For-Profit Organizations
- Local or Municipal Governments
- Business Improvement Districts
- Public Benefit Corporations
- Indian Tribal Organizations
- Public Educational Institutions
All applicants must operate or directly support the operation of one or more farmers’ markets in New York State.
Community-led groups can work with an eligible fiscal sponsor to apply.