The Farmers Marketing and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) is a USDA run program that offers grants with the intent to “strengthen communities by supporting direct farm-to-consumer market and local food enterprises, and by improving access to fresh, high-quality agricultural products for millions of Americans” ( Source ).

The FMLFPP encompasses two programs, each with different grant opportunities. They are the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) and the Farmers Marketing Promotion Program (FMPP).


What is the LFPP?

The LFPP’s goal is to help increase the consumption of and access to local foods which the program intends to accomplish by supporting the development and expansion of local food businesses. The program also aims to develop new market opportunities for farm/ranch ventures serving local markets.

The program is divided into two grant categories: planning or implementation. Applicants can only receive one type of grant for each cycle. If awarded, the planning grant must be completed within a 12 month time period and implementation grants must be completed within 24 months.

What is the FMPP?

Like the LFPP, the goal the of the FMPP is to increase access to and consumption of local foods in the United States. The program assists eligible entities by helping to expand and create new direct producer-to-consumer marketing opportunities. Additionally, all projects should support agricultural marketing enterprises where farmers or vendors sell their own products directly to consumers.

This program only offers one grant option, which must be completed within 24 months of the grant starting date. Applicants may only apply for one grant under the FMPP.


How much funding has been available?
Grants awarded under the FMLFPP are administered by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and available funding for this program may vary each year.

LFPP Funding

For FY 2019, LFPP grants awarded approximately $11.75 million in available funds. In FY 2019, AMS funded 42 of the 215 LFPP project applications it received, or 20 percent. Planning grant awards were between $25,000-$100,000. Implementation grant applicants were between $100,000-$500,000.

FMPP Funding

FMPP grants award approximately $11.75 million in funds for FY 2019. The AMS only funded 49 of the total 183 FMPP project applications it received in FY 2019. Applicants can request at a minimum of $50,000 and a maximum of $500,000.

How can funds be used?

Eligible activities for the LFPP Implementation Grant include:

  • Training
  • Technical assistance
  • Outreach
  • Marketing
  • Working capital
  • Non-construction infrastructure improvements
Eligible activities for the LFPP Planning Grant include:

  • Market research
  • Feasibility studies
  • Business planning

Eligible uses for the FMPP include:

  • Advertising and promotion
  • Consumer education and outreach
  • Equipment purchase, transportation, delivery
  • Agri-tourism
  • Waste management and green technologies
  • Farmer Training-business planning, record keeping, and rules and regulations
  • Market start-up, expansion, and strategic planning

Who can apply?
Under the FMPP and the LFPP, eligible entities include:

  • Agricultural Cooperatives
  • Producer Network
  • Producer Association
  • Local Government
  • Non-Profit Corporation
  • Agricultural Businesses
  • Public Benefit Corporation
  • Economic Development Corporation
  • Regional Farmers Market Authority
  • Tribal Government
  • CSA Associations
  • CSA Networks

How are FMPP and LFPP Grants Scored?
The following is the scoring structure for FMPP and LFPP grants based on the 2018 Request for Applications for both programs.

Category

Max Points

Description

Alignment and Intent

25 points

The extent to which

  1. The application provides a clear and concise description of the specific issue, problem, or need and objectives for the project.
  2. The project increases domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products while developing new marketing opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets by performing certain tasks. (Tasks depend on the particular program. Visit USDA for more information.)
  3. The applicant identifies the intended beneficiaries, including the number of beneficiaries and how they will benefit.
Technical Merit

25 points

The extent to which

  1. The application presents a clear, well-conceived, and overall suitable methodology for fulfilling the goals and objectives of the proposed project.
  2. The application presents a realistic schedule for implementing the proposed project during the award project period.
  3. The previous lessons learned are incorporated into the proposed project if the project and/or entity was previously funded.
Achievability

15 points

The extent to which

  1. The Outcomes and Indicator(s) are feasible for the scale and scope of the project including: (a) how indicator numbers were derived, with a clear means to collect feedback to evaluate and achieve each relevant Outcome indicator; and (b) the anticipated key factors that are predicted to contribute to and restrict progress toward the applicable indicators, including action steps for addressing identified restricting factors.
  2. The proposed project can be easily adaptable to other regions, communities, or agricultural systems.
  3. The applicant provides a comprehensive plan to disseminate the project’s results (both positive and negative) electronically and in-person to target audiences, stakeholders, and interested parties.
Expertise and Partners

25 points

The extent to which

  1. The proposed project represents qualifications of the applicant (individual and team) and the relevant partnerships and collaborations to accomplish the project’s goals and objectives and to meet the needs of the intended beneficiaries including: a. Commitment from the key staff demonstrated through Letters of Commitment from Partner and Collaborator Organizations. b. The key staff who will be responsible for managing the projects and the individuals (name and title) who comprise the Project Team; and c. the expertise and experience of the Project Team necessary to successfully manage and implement the proposed project.
  2. The application describes plans for coordination, communication, and data sharing, and reporting among members of the Project Team and stakeholder groups, including both internal applicant personnel and external partners and collaborators.
  3. The application describes how the project, and its partnerships and collaborations, will be sustained beyond the project’s period of performance (without grant funds).
Fiscal Plans and Resources

10 points

The extent to which

  1. The application budget narrative or justification provides a clear, detailed, narrative description for each budget line item including: a. The budget is consistent with the size and scope of the project; and b. the budget relates logically to the narrative describing the project.
  2. The application provides evidence that critical resources and infrastructure that are necessary for the initiation and completion of the proposed project are currently in place
  3. The applicant demonstrates its partners’ or collaborators’ contribution of non-Federal cash resources or in-kind contributions are available and obtainable for the project as evidenced through the submitted Matching Fund and Letters of Verification (for LFPP only).
Total 100 points

 

For more information, visit the USDA’s website.