From VAAFM:
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service just opened three major grant programs designed to rebuild local food systems, expand supply chains, and strengthen market access for producers, food hubs, and community partners.
Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) – Apply by June 27th
- $11 million available | $50,000–$500,000 awards
- Supports direct-to-consumer sales (farmers markets, CSAs, agritourism, online platforms)
- Use of funds: technology upgrades, food safety certifications, marketing, on-farm food waste reduction, value-added production
Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) – Apply by June 27th
- $11 million available | $25,000–$500,000 awards
- Focuses on intermediaries (aggregators, distributors, processors) in local/regional food chains
- Use of funds: feasibility studies, infrastructure, cold storage, transportation, business development, labor and training
Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) – Apply by June 27th
- $4.5 million available | $100,000–$1 million awards
- Funds regional coalitions working to coordinate food systems and align cross-sector efforts
- Use of funds: partnership building, systems planning, shared measurement, outreach, infrastructure coordination
Questions specifically about each of these grant programs should be directed to the program contact listed on the program webpage.
If your business is based in a Vermont community of 5,000 people or fewer, you may be eligible for grant writing assistance through the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program. To inquire about this assistance, please complete the REDI inquiry form.