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Agency Local Food Market Development Grant Program Now Accepting Applications

February 25, 2020
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February 25 , 2020 | Montpelier, VT – The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM) is now accepting applications for the Local Food Market Development grant program. This program seeks to increase the amount of Vermont agricultural products being sold through local institutional or wholesale markets.  The deadline to apply for this opportunity is March 29th, 2020.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available to farmers, producers, food businesses and value-chain facilitators. Funding will be awarded to the proposals that show the greatest potential in helping address supply chain barriers. Examples include improving product quality, operational efficiency, or food safety procedures, addressing distribution challenges or mitigating financial risk associated with scaling to meet new markets.

$30,000 in grant funding is available through this grant opportunity. The minimum grant award is $2,000 and the maximum is $5,000. Applicants are required to provide a cash and/or in-kind match that is no less than twenty-five percent of the requested grant funds. Funds can be used for a variety of purposes including infrastructure or technology purchases, but cannot be used to help purchase vehicles or land.

The Local Food Market Development program is made possible by an annual allocation from the state legislature. The deadline to apply for this opportunity is March 29th, 2020. Applicants will be notified in late April 2020 regarding the success of their application. More information about the program, including how to apply, can be found on the VAAFM website at: https://agriculture.vermont.gov/localfoodmarketdevelopment.

Questions about the program should be directed to Trevor Lowell at (802) 585-9186 or trevor.lowell@vermont.gov .