Feds offer $1million for new Farmer's Markets

[johnnyd]

Examples of direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities include new farmers' markets, roadside stands, community supported agriculture programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer infrastructures. This is part of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976.

Reprinted by permission from Sustainable Food News.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Tuesday said it wants to give out $1 million to boost locally grown food consumption by providing grants for new farmers' markets, roadside stands and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities.

However, Congress still needs to approve the funds for fiscal year 2007. The maximum award per grant would be $75,000 and no matching funds are required, AMS said in a federal register notice.

Increasing domestic consumption of agricultural commodities is a mission of the government’s Farmers' Market Promotion Program (FMPP).

Another example of a direct producer-to-consumer market opportunity includes community supported agriculture programs.

AMS said the list of eligible entities includes: agricultural cooperatives, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers' market authorities, and tribal governments.

Submit proposals and other required materials to Mr. Errol Bragg, Associate Deputy Administrator, Marketing Services Branch, Transportation and Marketing Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), USDA, Room 2646-South, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0269, phone 202/720-8317.

Applications must be postmarked no later than April 13. To review a copy of the FMPP Guidelines and Application Package Preparation information, click here.