The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for its 2026 Food Retail Improvement and Development Grant (FRIDG) Program for the Technical Assistance Provider Support Grants.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/10/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 3 Years
Details:
The program was established by the Minnesota Legislature to increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods (including fruits and vegetables) for underserved communities in low- and moderate-income areas. Technical Assistance Provider Support Grants are intended to assist technical assistance (TA) providers in working with new or existing for-profit, nonprofit, and cooperative self-service retail food establishments with needs-based assistance.
Priorities
The Department of Administration Office of Grants Management (OGM) Policy 08-02: Rating Criteria for Competitive Grant Review (PDF) sets up the expectation that grant programs intentionally show how the grant serves diverse populations, especially populations experiencing inequities or disparities. Businesses and organizations owned by, led by, or serving Native American Tribal communities are encouraged to apply.
The scoring criteria prioritize:
- Projects that address business succession planning
- Projects that prioritize new retail owners, new retailers, or less-established retailers
- Projects that help retailers access capital
- Projects that demonstrate a collaborative, regional approach
- Projects that will increase sales of Minnesota-grown or -raised foods
Funding Information
- It expects to award up to $200,000 through a competitive review process.
- The maximum grant request is $100,000, and the minimum request is $5,000.
Project Period
Grants may last up to three years from the contract start date.
Eligible Projects and Expenses
Grocers and small food retailers receiving technical assistance under this grant must serve an underserved community, defined as a geographic area or group of people whose food access needs are not met by existing retailers. This includes but is not limited to:
- A low-income and moderate-income area
- A low income and low access area, commonly referred to as “food deserts”, as determined by the United State Department of Agriculture
- An area where there is a limited number of grocery stores
- A group of people with particular needs such as the aging population, people with disabilities, or people with special dietary needs or preferences
Projects must:
- Increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods (including produce), that is not prepared or cooked/intended for immediate consumption, for underserved communities in low- and moderate-income areas.
- Be conducted in Minnesota.
- 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 (estimated to be April/May 2029).
Eligibility Criteria
Nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and for-profit businesses 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.
For more information visit MDA.
