By Kathryn Donovan & Alissa Matthews – VT Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is pleased to announce the availability of up to $90,000 of funding from two grant opportunities to assist eligible Vermont farmers and food businesses with projects that have goals to improve quality, efficiency, and food safety.
The application period for both grant programs will be open from Monday, January 7th, 2019 until Thursday, January 31st, 2019 at 12:00pm (noon). Awards will range from $2,000 to $5,000.
VAAFM is committed to supporting farmers with making improvements and upgrades to their operation to increase the economic viability and sustainability of their business.
Produce Safety Improvement Grants
Approximately $60,000 in funding will be available in the third round of the Produce Safety Improvement Grant (PSIG). Applicants must grow, harvest, pack, or hold “covered produce” as defined by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) and have average annual produce sales of greater than $25,000 over the past three years.
Applicants must identify produce safety risks on their farm and describe how the project will help prevent or reduce those risks. Funds for this round have been provided through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Castanea Foundation, LLC.
Eligible Use of Funds
- Specialized Equipment and Supplies: produce harvest/storage improvement
- Health/Hygiene: cleaning/sanitization tools, signage, compost/manure handling improvements
- Wash and Pack: washroom supplies, single use packaging
***Construction and Construction Supplies are ineligible use of funds in this round***
Recipients of funds from previous rounds do not qualify for this round. Funds will now be awarded through a competitive application process. The details of the VAAFM Produce Program and Request for Proposal for this grant is now available at https://agriculture.vermont.gov/ProduceSafetyGrants.
Questions related to the Produce Safety Improvement Grants or the FSMA Produce Safety rule should be directed to (802) 585-4571 or AGR.FSMA@vermont.gov.
Local Food Market Development Grants
Approximately $30,000 in funding will be available to assist Vermont farmers, businesses, and value-chain facilitators for projects that address challenges and risks associated with scaling up to meet new market demands. To qualify for funding consideration, applicants must either be a Vermont producer in pursuit of institutional or direct retail market development, or a value-chain facilitator that will directly support Vermont producers’ access to institutional and wholesale market expansion.
Eligible Use of Funds
- Infrastructure Development: on-farm capital improvements, equipment purchases
- Technology: accounting, tracking, and/or sales software, website, or app development
- Market Access and Development: innovative solutions to logistics and/or distribution
The details of the VAAFM Local Food Market Development grant and Request for Proposals is now available at https://agriculture.vermont.gov/LocalFoodMarketDevelopment.
Questions related to the Local Food Market Development grants should be directed to Alissa Matthews at (802) 505-1661 or Alissa.Matthews@vermont.gov.