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2nd Annual Producer Buyer Forum, November 2nd
The Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN) is hosting this important matchmaking event at Middlebury College, November 2nd, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ACORN's Producer Buyer Forum: Local to Global is an event that brings together producers and buyers working to increase local food distribution. With panelists and round table discussions, attendees get information AND share their insights on products and availability. Space is limited! Click here to purchase your ticket.
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New EPA Toolkit Helps Communities Pursue Local Food Enterprises
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has just released a new toolkit to help communities interested in using local foods to support downtown and neighborhood revitalization. Local Foods, Local Places includes step-by-step instructions for community-led workshops that allow local officials, community groups, businesses, and citizens to explore the benefits of using farmers markets, community kitchens and other food-related enterprises to revitalize communities, develop action plans, and achieve multiple goals such as:
- Keeping food dollars within the local economy and supporting creation of new jobs in the region.
- Diversifying the local economy and sustaining or reinvigorating a region's agricultural heritage.
- Increasing the vitality of a historic Main Street or an existing neighborhood, helping to attract reinvestment and growth to these areas.
- Revitalizing already-developed areas to reap environmental benefits.
- Reducing food insecurity and shrinking food deserts.
The toolkit was developed over the course of delivering the Local Foods, Local Places technical assistance program and compiles best practices and lessons learned. To get the toolkit, click here. (Modules are available for download in .pdf or in Word.) To learn more about the Local Foods, Local Places Program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/local-foods-local-places
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Research Links SNAP Benefits to Lower Health Care Costs
Research has shown that food insecurity leads to higher health care costs, but can social welfare programs that improve food access lower them? A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine concludes that enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) IS associated with reduced health care spending among low-income American adults -- and that encouraging SNAP enrollment among eligible adults may help reduce health care costs in the US.
The study involved 4,447 non-institutionalized adults at the extreme low end of the poverty spectrum, 1,889 who were SNAP participants, and 2,558 who were not. After examining all health care expenses from the 2012-2013 period (all claims paid and out-of-pocket costs), researchers found that on average, SNAP participants spent $1,400 less on healthcare expenses annually. SNAP payments are pretty moderate. Recipients receive an average of $125 a month, which comes to about $1.40 a meal. Nevertheless, this modest investment provides a significant boost to community health strategies, and may help to offset Medicaid budgets.
New Food Economy has a writeup on the study here. To read an abstract of the study in JAMA, or purchase the full study, click here.
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Farm & Forest Viability Grant Opportunities
The Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program, a program of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, is offering grant funds for on-farm capital improvement projects.
Water Quality Grants can help Vermont farmers subject to Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) grossing more than $15,000 annually make capital expenditures to invest in
water quality-related
on-farm infrastructure.
The program funds projects
that require capital expenditures for on-farm improvements in the following areas that also have direct, positive impacts on water quality:
- Construction, renovation, or upgrades to farm infrastructure
- Purchase of equipment that will be used frequently; is essential to the business; cannot be rented; and leads to innovative farm practices
The Dairy Improvement Grants fund p
rojects that make on-farm capital improvements in the following areas, are eligible for funding:
- Construction, renovation, or upgrades to farm infrastructure
- Purchase of equipment that will be used frequently; is essential to the business; cannot be rented; and leads to innovative farm practices
Both grant programs allow up to $40,000 in funding. Matching funds are required for both grants and may include federal or state grants as well as cash or loans. Upcoming application deadlines and eligibility requirements for both grant programs are here. Applications for the next funding round are due November 15th.
If you have questions about this grant, please contact Katie Michels at [email protected] or 802-828-5587.
USDA Value-Added Producer Grants
mers andforesters develop new products and add value to existing commodities, is now accepting applications. Rural Development is seeking farm and forestry producers have innovative ideas for enhancing the value of their agricultural products, and who are discovering new ways to diversify the agricultural economy.
This
video
provides a program overview.
Value-Added Producer Grants may be used by innovative producers to develop new products, increase the value of existing products, and develop new uses for traditional commodities. Eligible applicants include farm, forestry, and fishery producers who produce 51 percent of the raw commodity used to produce a final product. Eligible applicants also include mid-tier value chains that represent producers aggregating a raw commodity and marketing a value added product. Producers may apply for up to $75,000 for planning, marketing, and feasibility study related activities, and a $250,000 grant for working capital expenses. The Value Added Producer Grant requires a 50 percent match.
The 2017 application deadline is January 31, 2018. For more information, click
here, or
contact
Susan Poland
at 802-828-6002.
Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is currently soliciting applications for two types of grants to address food insecurity: (1) Community Food Projects and (2) Planning Projects. The primary goals of the Community Food Projects program are to:
Meet the food needs of low-income individuals through food distribution, community outreach to assist in participation in Federally assisted nutrition programs, or improving access to food as part of a comprehensive service; Increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for the food needs of the communities; Promote comprehensive responses to local food access, farm, and nutrition issues; and Meet specific state, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs including needs relating to: Equipment necessary for the efficient operation of a project; Planning for long-term solutions; or The creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.
Public food program service providers, tribal organizations, or private nonprofit entities, including gleaners, are eligible to apply. The grant program requires a 50% match, which can include in-kind and third-party contributions. The deadline to apply is December 4, 2017. To read the full Request for Applications and to apply, click here. To learn more about projects that have been previously funded, click here.
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Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB)
Over $750,000 in grant funding is available for the fiscal 2018 program year. Eligible Vermont agriculture and forest sector businesses may submit applications beginning October 3, 2017.
The application period for Service Providers will open on October 31st. Working Lands grant applications involve a two-step process: an initial
Letter of Intent and, if selected, submission of a full application. Grants are for eighteen months and are typically tendered in early spring. The investment areas are as follows:
Business Investments: Eligible applicants may include loggers, farmers and manufacturers doing business in Vermont who utilize Vermont agricultural or forestry products, and other businesses such as processors and distributors that support the growth of farm and forest sector businesses. Grant funds can be used for projects that will take your business to the next level, including equipment, infrastructure, and marketing.
Business Investment Letters of Intent are due November 7, 2017.
Service Provider Investments: This year the Service Provider Investments will contain two categories: a smaller funding pool for regional groups, research and development, and/or pilot programs; and a larger, multi-year funding pool for fundamental working lands services. Projects may include workforce training, marketing, or market research, business planning, or other activities that support the growth and viability of farm and forest sector businesses. Most service providers are non-profits, but some for-profit projects may also be a good fit for this category.
Service Provider Guidelines will be posted October 31, 2017.
For more information about the WLEB program, click
here
.
Tradeshow Assistance Grants
WLEB is offering a third year of funding for Trade Show Assistance Grants to assist Vermont producers in connecting with new markets and buyers to exhibit at out-of-state trade shows.
All grantees will be expected to contribute a 1:1 match. This year's grants will be available to out-of-state trade show exhibitors, and requests will be granted for $1,000-$2,500. The application period will open November 1st and funding will be allocated on a first come first serve basis until funds are depleted.
Capital Equipment Assistance Program (CEAP)
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture Farm and Markets (VAAFM) is offering financial assistance for new or innovative equipment that will aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes to state waters, improve water quality of state waters, reduce odors from manure application, separate phosphorus from manure, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce costs to farmers when they apply manure. Grant applications are due December 1, 2017. For more information, click here.
Vermont Produce Safety Improvement Grants
VAAFM has also announced the first round of a two-round grant opportunity for Vermont produce growers. The grant opportunity, which is intended to improve on-farm produce safety, will have approximately $74,000 in funding each round. To be eligible for the grant, applicants must grow, harvest, pack, or hold "covered produce" as defined by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's (FDA) 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. VAAFM will start accepting applications on November 15, 2017, and awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants. For more information click here, or contact Tucker Diego at [email protected] or 802-828-2433.
Vermont Farm to School Grants
VAAFM has two grant opportunities for 2018. This year, childcare providers are eligible:
Vermont Farm to School & Childhood Nutrition Grant: Up to six applicants will be awarded $15,000 each to expand and improve food programs and/or to create or expand farm to school programs by integrating the classroom, cafeteria, and community (the 3 C's of farm to school). Applications are due November 14, 2017. For more information, click here.
Vermont Farm to School Milk Cooler & Farm to Childcare Kitchen Equipment Grant: Up to 23 grants will be awarded at $1,000 each to reimburse schools and childcare providers for the purchase of equipment that will improve their food programs and/or farm to school/farm to childcare programs. Equipment purchases must be made by February 28, 2018. Applications are due November 14, 2017. For more information, click here.
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NVDA is the regional planning and development organization serving Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties, is an equal opportunity lender, provider, and employer.
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