Good Food Access Program (GFAP) Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)

Predicted deadline: Mar 20, 2024 2:00pm PDT

Grant amount: US $2,500 - US $50,000

Funding uses: Project / Program

Location of project: Minnesota

Location of residency: Minnesota

Overview:

Background and Program Goals

The Good Food Access Program (GFAP) was established to increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, for underserved communities in low-income and moderate-income areas. These goals will be accomplished by providing financial and technical support and supporting sustainable public-private projects to open, renovate, or expand the operations of grocery stores and small food retailers; expanding access to credit and reducing barriers to investment in underserved communities in low- and moderate-income areas; and to provide technical assistance, primarily for small food retailers with demonstrated need. 

The goal of the GFAP Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant is to increase sales of affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods to underserved communities, thereby increasing consumption of such foods by residents in the identified communities. The MDA is providing competitive grants to stimulate the sales of such foods to consumers by assisting grocery stores and small food retailers in making physical improvements and purchasing equipment. 

The GFAP Advisory Committee advises the Commissioner of Agriculture on managing the program, establishing program criteria, establishing project eligibility guidelines, establishing application processes and additional selection criteria, establishing annual monitoring and accountability mechanisms, facilitating leverage of additional public and private investments, and promoting the program statewide. The MDA drafted this RFP in cooperation with the GFAP Advisory Committee. 

Eligible Grant Projects and Expenses

Eligible grant projects are the purchase and installation of equipment and the costs incurred to make physical improvements.

Up to 100% of the total project cost may be reimbursed with grant funds, with a maximum grant award of $50,000 and a minimum grant award of $2,500. Applicants may request up to 50% of the award as an advance; all other amounts will be reimbursed after the project is completed to the State’s satisfaction. 

To be eligible, the project needs to be used to increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food, including fresh fruits and vegetables for underserved communities and in low- or moderate-income areas. 

Potential projects may include, but are not limited to, retail display coolers and freezers, storage coolers and freezers, shelving, mobile food trucks, permanent infrastructure at farmers markets, architectural work, and costs associated with the installation of equipment of physical improvements. Other ideas may be proposed.

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