FMC Announces 2nd Round of SNAP Mini-Grants
Posted On: November 8, 2018
Earlier this month, we announced the first recipients of FMC’s SNAP Mini-Grant Program, and opened up the program to applicants nationwide. The program was created to aid farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers impacted by the impending shutdown of Novo Dia Group, the country’s largest processor of SNAP EBT at farmers markets.
After more careful consideration, we are pleased to announce our 2nd round of Mini-Grant recipients. Congratulations to the following farmers markets!
- Local Motive Mobile Farmers Market – Burgaw, North Carolina
Established to serve ten low-income neighborhoods in the Burgaw, NC area, Local Motive Mobile Farmers Market (an extension of the Feast Down East Fresh Farmers Market) launched its SNAP program only four weeks before Novo Dia Group announced its plans to go out of business. Committed to helping its farmers and community recover from Hurricane Florence, the market will use the mini-grant to purchase new SNAP processing equipment and proceed with its mission to provide access to fresh, healthy food in neighborhoods that need it most.
- Midtown Farmers Market – St. Louis, Missouri
Midtown Farmers Market’s new SNAP program was just gaining momentum this year, when news of the Novo Dia Group shutdown curtailed their marketing plans. The market will use the mini-grant to purchase new SNAP processing equipment and jump start promotions for their SNAP program. - Mountain View Farmers Market – Anchorage, Alaska
Located in one of the most diverse communities in the country, Mountain View Farmers Market is the only market in Anchorage that accepts SNAP. The market plans to use the mini-grant funds to expand its new, but rapidly growing SNAP incentive program, and more heavily promote the program throughout the community.
- Pepper Place Farmers Market – Birmingham, Alabama
Operating in a food desert, Pepper Place Farmers Market is a non-profit organization that relies on grants and sponsorships to support its robust SNAP program. The market will use the mini-grant to replace the SNAP processing equipment it will lose due to the Novo Dia Group shutdown.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the SNAP Mini-Grant Program
What’s Next for the Program?
We want to thank everyone who applied to the SNAP Mini-Grant Program. Nearly 250 outstanding applications were received from markets and farm stands across the country, making our review process especially difficult. Due to strong interest in the program and limited funds, we are only able to award grants to a select group of applicants at this time.
However, we understand a deep need still exists for this program, and for funding to support, improve, and expand SNAP programs at markets and farm stands.
FMC is currently working to expand the SNAP Mini-Grant Program to help more markets and farmers, and hopes to reopen the program in 2019. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months!
Have questions? Email Emma Hansen at emma@farmersmarketcoalition.org for more information about the program.
Want to be a champion for local, fresh, affordable food?
Hundreds of farmers markets across the country are still in need of support. Help even more markets connect local farmers with SNAP shoppers in their community by donating to the SNAP Mini-Grant Program today!
For every $500 we receive, one farmers market or farm stand will receive a mini-grant to support their SNAP programs!
We would like thank the donors who made our SNAP Mini-Grant Program possible. Your support makes a difference! We look forward to sharing the great work that results from these funds.
