MDA opens grant applications to increase access to nutritious foods
(Credit: Minnesota Department of Agriculture)
(ABC 6 News) – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is taking applications for two grant programs to increase low and moderate-income Minnesotan’s access to fresh foods.
The MDA Good Food Access Program (GFAP) will award up to $935,000 to grocery stores, small food retailers and non-profit organizations via the GFAP Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant and Technical Assistance Grant.
— RELATED: Minn. food banks see record number of visits —
The Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant will help grocers and small food retailers establish physical improvements to their stores and buy equipment that will “stimulate sales of such foods,” according to the MDA.
To qualify for the grant, retailers must already sell “nutritious and culturally appropriate foods.”
Retailers must also accept SNAP benefits.
To apply for this grant, CLICK HERE.
— REALTED: Food insecurity rises nationwide ahead of holidays —
The Technical Assistance Grant aims to connect technical assistance providers to work with new and existing nonprofit, for-profit and cooperative self-service retailers with needs based assistance.
In order to receive this funding, retailers must be located in or serve an identified food desert or serve a substantial subpopulation (i.e. elderly, disabled or low-income communities).
The Technical Assistance Grant is expected to award $200,000. 75% of a project’s total cost may be covered by grants, which will award between $5,000 to $50,000 per project.
To apply for this grant, CLICK HERE.
Applications for either grant must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2024.