The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting applications for its 2026 Food Retail Improvement and Development Grant (FRIDG) Program for the Equipment and Infrastructure 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: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Priorities
The scoring criteria prioritize:
- Projects that demonstrate positive economic and health impacts on underserved communities.
- Applicants that demonstrate urgency for the project and need for grant funding.
- Projects that increase access to nutritious and culturally appropriate foods.
- Projects that increase the availability of Minnesota grown or raised foods.
Funding Information
- They expect to award approximately $725,000 through a competitive review process.
- The maximum award is $75,000, and the minimum award is $5,000 per project
Eligible Projects and Expenses
FRIDG: Retailer Equipment and Infrastructure 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.
Eligible projects will:
- Sustain or increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food (including produce) for underserved communities in low- and moderate-income areas. This does not include prepared or cooked food intended for immediate consumption.
- Be completed in three years or less.
- Be conducted in Minnesota.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the minimum requirements to be considered for this grant opportunity. For-profit and not-for-profit grocery stores and small food retailers engaged in the sale of nutritious and culturally appropriate foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, are eligible to apply. The retail location 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.
- Applicants must:
- Be a food retailer, such for-profit and non-profit grocery stores, corner stores, convenience stores, farmers’ markets, mobile food markets, or retail food outlets operated by an emergency food program or food hub.
For more information, visit MDA.
