The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is requesting applications for its GFAP Technical Assistance Grants to assist technical assistance providers in working with new or existing for-profit, not-for-profit, and cooperative self-service retail food establishments with needs-based assistance.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/16/2023
Size of the Grant: $5,000-$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.
GFAP funds are intended to increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, for underserved communities in low- and moderate-income areas.
Grant Priority
- It is the policy of the State of Minnesota to ensure fairness, precision, equity, and consistency in competitive grant awards. This includes implementing diversity and inclusion in grant-making.
- Proposals that demonstrate experience providing technical assistance to Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) communities and commit to serving these populations will receive priority.
Funding Information
They expect to award approximately $100,000 through the GFAP Technical Assistance Grant. Up to 75% of the total project cost may be covered by the grant. The maximum grant award is $50,000; minimum grant award is $5,000.
Eligible Projects
- GFAP Technical Assistance Grant projects include but are not limited to sustainability-focused individualized guidance, presentations, workshops, training, printed materials, mentorship opportunities, peer-to-peer opportunities, or other guidance and resources on relevant topics such as business planning, sales projections, cash flow, succession planning, financing, fundraising, marketing, SNAP and WIC eligibility, food procurement or distribution, handling and merchandising fresh foods, food preparation demonstrations, and workforce training.
- Grocers and small food retailers receiving technical assistance under this grant must be located in or serve a census tract designated as a food desert or must serve a substantial subpopulation, such as the elderly or disabled or those in a low- or moderate- income census tract who have low supermarket access. It is not a requirement that the grocer or small food retailer be in one of these areas, however they must serve its residents. A list of eligible areas is available at the GFAP Eligible Areas webpage.
- 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 year ‘Lstivate Winch
- Be conducted in Minnesota.
Eligibility Criteria
- Non-profit organizations and public agencies with capabilities to provide technical assistance to eligible grocery stores and small food retailers are invited to apply. Examples of potential technical assistance providers include but are not limited to small business development centers, regional economic development organizations, community development financial institutions, regional public health organizations, and foundations.
- Tribal communities and other organizations that serve Native American Tribal communities are eligible and encouraged to apply.
- Applicants must be in good standing with the State of Minnesota.
- No back taxes owed.
- No defaults on Minnesota state-backed financing for the last seven years.
- Acceptable performance on past MDA grants.
- Compliant with current state regulations.
- MDA employees and their spouses are not eligible to receive grants from this program.
Eligible Expenses
Eligible expenses include:
- Wages and associated fringe for time spent directly on the grant project (provide justification for the hourly rate).
- Consultant fees (provide justification for the hourly rate).
- Durable equipment or other items necessary for the project valued at less than $1,000 each.
- Training and workshop fees for technical assistance recipients.
- Project-related travel.
- Postage, printing, and telephone expenses related to the project.
For more information, visit MDA.
