Posted February 10, 2014 at 07:52am by

Farm to Institution Grant Funding Available

Contact: Abbey Willard

802-828-3829

Abbey.Willard@state.vt.us

 

Farm to Institution Grant Funding Available

 

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) announces $40,000 available to agricultural producers and food hubs serving institutional markets through the Local Food Market Development Grant program for 2014.

Any Vermont producers, processers, community food organization, or food hub interested in a Local Food Market Development grant can find more information and download an application at agriculture.vermont.gov under the ‘Grants’ tab on the homepage.

Maximum grant awards will be $7,500 with a 25% cash or in-kind match requirement by producers and 50% match requirement by community groups and food hubs. All applications must be received by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture no later than 4:30 pm on Monday, March 3, 2014.

Local Food Market Development Grant Program funds, appropriated by the state of Vermont, are intended to increase Vermont producers’ access to institutional markets and to increase the quantity of local food available in Vermont institutions. Vermont institutions are defined as: colleges and universities, preK-12 schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and correctional facilities. Proposals addressing access to wholesale markets, including grocery stores and retail food co-ops, will be considered. Grants will be distributed, through a competitive application review process, to agricultural producers, producer groups, food-focused community groups, and food hubs.    

Funds are eligible to support:

  1. Infrastructure Development: on-farm capital improvements, equipment purchases.
  2. Market Access and Development: coordination of matchmaking events, development and production of marketing materials, targeted outreach to secure institutional markets.

 

For more information about the Local Food Market Development Grant program visit the VAAFM website agriculture.vermont.gov or by contacting Abbey Willard, Local Foods Administrator, 802-828-3829 or abbey.willard@state.vt.us.

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