Good Acre

TO PROVIDE BIPOC SPECIALTY CROP FARMERS WITH ASSISTANCE TO INCREASE THEIR GROWING AND WHOLESALE CAPACITY THROUGH TRAINING, FARM VISITS, DIRECT SUPPORT AND CREATING MARKET ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES.

THE GOOD ACRE WILL INCREASE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALLSCALE PRODUCE FARMERS IN MINNESOTA BY FACILITATING ACCESS TO NEW RETAIL GROCERY MARKETS. THIS INITIATIVE WILL ACHIEVE THIS THROUGH PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP FARMERS SECURE GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES GAP CERTIFICATIONS AND DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE FOOD SAFETY PLANS ALONGSIDE EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIPS WITH WHOLESALE BUYERS AND EXPAND SALES THROUGH TARGETED MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES. THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT GROWERS GAINING ENTRY INTO GROCERY RETAIL CHANNELS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY IMPROVING LOCAL FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN LOGISTICS VIA CROSSDOCKING BACKHAULING OPERATIONS AND ENHANCED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES. THE PROJECT ANTICIPATES EXPANDING ANNUAL PURCHASES FROM SMALLSCALE FARMERS FROM 1.7 MILLION TO 3 MILLION DIRECTLY BENEFITING FARMERS AND SUPPORTING PARTNERS WITHIN THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM. THE ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES INCLUDE A GREATER NUMBER OF GAPCERTIFIED FARMERS ACROSS MINNESOTA AND INCREASED MARKET ACCESS FOR THESE PRODUCERS.

SCALING-UP SUPPLY & DEMAND TO ACHIEVE FOOD HUB FINANCIAL VIAILITY

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.