Farmers Market Federal Grants
Daniel Blaustein RejtoFarmers Market Coalition &
Oregon Farmers Markets Association
Oregon Small Farms Conference Farmers Market Track
04/18/23
• Community Food Projects
• Community Facilities Loans and Grants
• Farmers Market Promotion Program
• Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive
• Healthy Food Financing Initiative
Farmers Market Federal Grants
Oregon Small Farms Conference Farmers Market Track
04/18/23
• Objective: Low-income Community Food Security
• Grant Size: $10k-$300k
• Percent Match: 100%
• Deadline: Due March 17th
Community Food Projects
Oregon Small Farms Conference Farmers Market Track
04/18/23
• Objective: Develop rural community facilities including market structures and gardens
• Grant Size: Varies
• Percent Match: 25%+
• Deadline: Contact your Rural Development Office
Community Facilities Loans and Grants
Oregon Small Farms Conference Farmers Market Track
04/18/23
• Objective: Develop and expand direct-to-consumer outlets
• Grant Size: $15k-$100k
• Percent Match: 0%
• Deadline: This summer?
Farmers Market Promotion Program
Oregon Small Farms Conference Farmers Market Track
04/18/23
Farmers Market Promotion Program Recipients
Farmers Market Promotion Program Recipients
• Objective: Provide point-of-sale incentives to increase SNAP participants' fruit and vegetable purchases.
• Grant Size: Up to $100k-$300k
• Percent Match: 100%
• Deadline: Late Fall/Early Winter
Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive
Oregon Small Farms Conference Farmers Market Track
04/18/23
• Objective: Fund food-related projects that create jobs and business development opportunities in low income communities
• Grant Size: $100k-$800k
• Percent Match: 100%
• Deadline: April 17th
Healthy Food Financing Initiative
Oregon Small Farms Conference Farmers Market Track
04/18/23
Thank You!
Daniel Blaustein Rejtowww.farmersmarketcoalition.org
Oregon Small Farms Conference Farmers Market Track
04/18/23
Principle of Grant Writing
MaryLee PlanerEcumenical Ministries of Oregon
Oregon Small Farms Conference Farmers Market Track
04/18/23
USDA Funding to Start and
Improve Farmers and
Farmers Market SNAP/EBT, Debit, and Credit Card
Programs
Terms
USDA: United States Department of AgricultureFNS: Food & Nutrition Service
SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Also known as Basic Food / Quest in Washington
EBT: Electronic Benefit Transfer
Service Provider: The third-party company that processes credit, debit and SNAP transactions, and supplies EBT equipment to retailers.
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2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
# of SNAP Markets
47 55 80 111 135
Total SNAP Sales
$261,229 $475,810 $609,050 $769,675 $790,841
Oregon SNAP in Farmers Market
$8.7 Million for EBT Equipment @ Markets
FY 2013$4 M
FY 2014$700,000
FY 2012$4 M
StatesNAFMNP / MarketLin
kFMC
New Markets & Farmers
New Markets & Farmers
Existing Markets & Farmers
*NEW means SNAP authorized on or after Nov. 18, 2011
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• FY13 Funding– first equipment shipped 3/2014
• Challenge & Success– Design solution that was available to all farmers /
markets• Key Features
– Funding eligibility confirmation– Technical assistance with SNAP Retailer Application– ONLY smart-device based option that can accept ALL
3 (credit/debit/SNAP) through one application– Low, nationally negotiated processing rates
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MarketLink
Year in Review
• 2014: $500,000+ in SNAP sales during the farmers market season
• Almost 1,000 farmers & markets have equipment
• Reports of business increasing by 30-40%
• As of July 2014, USDA reported:– 15% increase in SNAP-authorized FMs &
37% in DMFs– Redemption at FMs increase of 11% &
6% increase by DMFs• MarketLink has helped 850+ farmers
and markets with SNAP application• MarketLink equipment in 45 states
• iPhone 5s or iPad mini• Verizon or AT&T• Text & Talk, 2GB data per
month• BYOD – if qualify for USDA
funding, no fixed fees for 3-year contract
• Android app available• Collaboration with FMC for
replacement equipment funding for markets
• All equipment EMV compliant by Q2
• New website design!
2015 New Offerings
FarmersMarketCoalition.org
$8.7 Million for EBT Equipment @ Markets
FY 2013$4 M
FY 2014$700,000
FY 2012$4 M
StatesNAFMNP / MarketLin
kFMC
New Markets & Farmers
New Markets & Farmers
Existing Markets & Farmers
*NEW means SNAP authorized on or after Nov. 18, 2011
New Federal Grant Program
EBT Support at Farmers Markets$3.3 Million for:
•Funds to pay for personnel costs associated with operating SNAP at farmers markets;
•Funds to pay for the design, printing, and/or purchase posters, signage, brochures, pamphlets, and similar allowable media intended to inform/educate current SNAP participants of their ability to use their benefits at farmers markets.
•Funds to pay for miscellaneous equipment, such as scrip, and technology infrastructure (wifi hotspots, phone lines, electrical lines, etc.) reasonably necessary for a farmers’ market to operate SNAP.
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Next Steps
• Apply for SNAP Permit
• Choose which hardware to use – SmartPhone or Wireless Terminal
• Go to MarketLink or FMC website to apply for grants.
• Check out FMC EBT Guide
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Resources for Farmers and Farmers Markets
• MarketLink – marketlink.org/
• Farmers Market Coalition EBT Guide – farmersmarketcoalition.org
• Outline a project you have always wanted to do
• Select the grant(s) the project may be eligible for
• Determine next steps for funding the project
• Share with the room
Grant Proposal Activity
Oregon Small Farms Conference Farmers Market Track
04/18/23
Questions
Oregon Small Farms Conference Farmers Market Track
04/18/23