Apply for Food Ventures Grant Program – United States

MDAR seeks to award grants statewide, primarily in communities of low or moderate income, to individuals or entities with experience developing and supporting commercial food businesses.

Overview and Goals

• The overall goal of the MFVP is to increase access to healthy, affordable food options and improve economic opportunities for low to moderate-income communities. The MFVP will provide funding through grants to support food ventures designed to provide greater access to healthy food, which is sited primarily in or near communities of low or moderate income, including Gateway Cities and rural communities. The MFVP will help implement the goals of the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan and contribute to the financing needs of local Massachusetts food enterprises. With expanded investment, completed projects will improve access to Massachusetts-grown, harvested, or caught food products by developing collaborations with local agricultural enterprises and private/public entities.
• Key areas for investment include: farm co-ops infrastructure to meet the needs of the expanding local food system; Organizations and Farm businesses seeking to improve distribution systems to support opportunities for equitable access to fresh local food; and retail outlet strategies that enhance access to healthy food and job creation.

Maximum Reimbursement

• Reimbursement of up to $250,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis. The minimum grant award is $50,000.

Eligible Project Areas

• Food Processing Infrastructure: Creation of commercial food processing infrastructure to ensure availability of Massachusetts produced foods, creating greater food access and which can benefit low- and moderate-income households.
• Non Retail: Food Commissaries: Innovative proposals by commercial food commissaries that connect local farms and partners, create new permanent jobs, create new local food retail markets, or improve marketing within low income communities to increase food access.
• Farm Co-Ops: Proposals for construction, renovation, or build-out of existing farm facilities that will create new permanent jobs or greater access to affordable, fresh food to low-moderate income communities.
• Greenhouses and Farmers’ markets: Develop and build facilities designed to increase year-round access of diverse food production and distribution to existing or new markets to benefit low to moderate income communities.
• Food Hubs: Capital for infrastructure to build or renovate sites for new or existing ventures that creates new permanent jobs and improves commercial food access in low to moderate income communities.
• Commercial Markets: Innovative projects that connect local food producers and partners to develop, build or renovate a large scale retail market, designed to improve commercial distribution of affordable, healthy, locally produced food.
• Mobile Markets/Innovative Markets: To purchase, design, and upgrade vehicles to provide healthy Massachusetts food including meats, seafood, vegetables, and fresh or frozen produce for purchase.

Eligible Applicants

• Massachusetts Municipalities
• Massachusetts Non-Profit or For-Profit Organizations
• Individual Residents of Massachusetts

Ineligible

• Funding for audits, feasibility studies, or design work
• Operation or maintenance costs associated with the proposed grant investment
• Staff or consultant time on proposals for projects that have already been completed or
• for which the applicant seeks reimbursement
• Non-commercial projects.

For more information, visit Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.