The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2023 Good Food Access Program (GFAP) grants to increase availability and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods to underserved communities.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/16/2023
Size of the Grant: $2,500 – $50,000
Details:
The Good Food Access Program (GFAP) was established to increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, for underserved communities in low-income and moderate-income areas. These goals will be accomplished by providing financial and technical support and supporting sustainable public-private projects to open, renovate, or expand the operations of grocery stores and small food retailers; expanding access to credit and reducing barriers to investment in underserved communities in low-and moderate-income areas; and to provide technical assistance, primarily for small food retailers with demonstrated need.
Grant Priority
The grant will also prioritize projects that demonstrate positive economic and health impacts on underserved communities, including creation and retention of jobs for local or regional residents from low-income and moderate-income areas that reflect the area demographics, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. The MDA anticipates awarding at least 50% of the available funds to projects located in or serving BIPOC communities.
Funding Information
- They expect to award up to $320,750 in Fiscal Year 2023.
- Minimum award: $2,500
- Maximum award: $50,000
Eligibility Criteria
The following groups are eligible to apply:
- For-profit and non-profit grocery stores
- Small food retailers, such as corner stores, convenience stores, farmers’ markets, mobile food markets, or retail food outlets operated by an emergency food program or food hub
- All applicants must be engaged in the sale of nutritious and culturally appropriate foods (including fresh fruits and vegetables).
Eligible Projects and Expenses
- GFAP Equipment and Physical Improvement Grants help grocery stores and small food retailers make physical improvements and purchase equipment to stimulate sales of nutritious and culturally appropriate foods. Eligible projects include the purchase and installation of equipment and the costs incurred to make physical improvements.
- Projects must:
- Increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food (including produce) for underserved communities in low- and moderate-income areas.
- Not start until the grant contract is signed by all parties and has reached its start date.
- Be completed in three years or less. Contracts cannot be extended beyond three years.
- Be conducted in Minnesota.
For information, visit MDA.
