Local Food Promotion Program

 

To increase domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets, by developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement, and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises (including those that are not direct producer-to-consumer markets). These businesses must process, distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Deleted 03/27/2024 (Archived.)
Program Number
10.172
Federal Agency/Office
Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Not applicable.
Authorization
Section 5 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976, Public Law 94-463, as amended by Section 10003 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79, Public Law 113-79
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Agricultural businesses and cooperatives, local governments, nonprofit corporations, producer networks, producer associations, community supported agriculture networks, community supported agriculture associations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, and Tribal governments. Projects and applicants must be owned, operated, and located within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Projects that benefit producers, local and regional food business enterprises, and consumers.
Credentials/Documentation
A grant agreement is entered into between the administering Federal agency and the State agency that submits the application. OMB Guidance for Grants Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR part 200 and 2 CFR 400 applies to this program.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. OMB Guidance for Grants Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR part 200 and 2 CFR 400 applies to this program. Applicants must submit forms SF-424, and SF-424B, critical resources and infrastructure documentation, a narrative description of the proposal with budget summary, and any supporting documents. Letters of commitment may be required as applicable. Matching funds are required in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount equal to 25 percent of the total cost of the project.
Award Procedure
The requests are reviewed and approved or disapproved by the Agricultural Marketing Service in competition with other applications received. Recipients are notified of the amount awarded by email. Grant payments are made by electronic fund transfer.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 120 to 180 days. Annual application deadlines are posted in Grants.gov and on the program's website at www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp. Funds are awarded by September 30 of each federal fiscal year.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Planning projects are not to exceed 18 months. Implementation projects are not to exceed 36 months. Additional time to complete the project may be requested.
How are proposals selected?
Project selection is based on several factors, including how well the proposed project will accomplish the Program objectives, quality of proposal, and impact on project beneficiaries. Projects are peer review, scored and ranked by subject matter experts against the evaluation criteria in the grant program Request for Applications (RFA). Eligible Promise Zone applicants will receive five priority points as a component of the criteria used to evaluate applications.
How may assistance be used?
Two types of applications will be accepted under the Program: Planning and Implementation grants. Applicants cannot be awarded both grant types within the same grant cycle. Planning grants are used in the planning stages of establishing or expanding a local and regional food business enterprise. Eligible activities can include but are not limited to market research, feasibility studies, and business planning. Implementation grants are used to establish a new local and regional food business enterprise, or to improve or expand an existing local or regional food business enterprise. Eligible activities can include but are not limited to training and technical assistance for the business enterprise and/or for producers working with the business enterprise; outreach and marketing to buyers and consumers; and non-construction infrastructure improvements to business enterprise facilities or information technology systems. Eligible entities may not use grant funds for the purchase, construction, or rehabilitation of a building or structure.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: AMS uses a variety of monitoring tools to ensure compliance with the legislated authority of the program and 2 CFR 200.
Auditing
2 CFR part 200, Subpart F - Audit requirements apply.
Records
Recipients must retain financial and other records relating to grant for a period of three years after the final Federal Financial Report (SF-425) is received by the Agricultural Marketing Service or until final resolution of any audit findings or litigation claims relating to this program.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. 25%. This program does not have a statutory formula or MOE requirements. Matching Requirements: Percent: 25%. Matching funds are required in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount equal to 25 percent of the total cost of the project.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grant payments are made on an as-needed reimbursable basis over the grant period. Advance payments may be requested. Assistance is awarded through a grant agreement. Grant payments are made by electronic fund transfer.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
USDA LFPP
1400 Independence Ave SW, RM 4543, Stop 0234
Washington, DC 20250 US
USDALFPPQuestions@ams.usda.gov
Phone: 202-720-8713
Website Address
http://www.ams.usda.gov/lfpp
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-2500-0-1-352
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 18$14,010,000.00; FY 19 est $0.00; FY 20 est $0.00; FY 17$13,965,000.00; FY 16$15,000,000.00; - FY 2018 was the last year for which this grant program had funds available. This program has been replaced by the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (10.175).
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
As provided for in the applicable request for applications. For planning grants, the minimum grant request is $25,000; maximum grant request is $100,000. For implementation grants, the minimum grant request is $100,000; maximum grant request is $500,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
A request for proposals is announced each year via Federal Register notice, www.grants.gov, and program web site. Additional information about the Local Food Promotion Program is available at the program web site at www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp .
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 


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