FMC’s Mini-Grant Program

FMC’s first ever Mini-Grant Program was designed to help SNAP programs across the country. Read more below!

 

What is the Mini-Grant Program?

 


In the summer of 2018, farmers markets across the nation received shocking news: Novo Dia Group (NDG), the country’s largest processor of SNAP EBT at farmers markets announced its plans to go out of business. That meant unless a solution was quickly found, nearly 2,000 markets nationwide would lose the equipment and services necessary to accept SNAP, harming the bottom-line of farmers who depend on those sales and the low-income families who rely on farmers markets for fresh, affordable food.

In response, FMC launched a fundraising campaign to support SNAP EBT programs at impacted farmers markets and farm stands. Through your generous donations, FMC created a $500 SNAP Mini-Grant Program and invited impacted markets and farmers to apply. This program was established to help recipients cover the unexpected and burdensome cost of purchasing new SNAP EBT equipment and support other SNAP program related needs created by the shutdown.

Each grant recipient clearly outlined how the NDG shutdown would impact their market or farm, demonstrated a deep commitment toward making healthy, local food available to SNAP shoppers in their community, and illustrated how the Mini-Grant funds would support the long term sustainability of their SNAP programs.

*we are not currently accepting new applications for this program

Meet our 2018 Grantees

 

Dedicated to inclusivity, Glenwood Sunday Market will use their grant programs to create and distribute SNAP program promotional materials in Spanish with the goal of engaging the 25% of their community that is Spanish-speaking.

Keya Wakpala Farmers’ Market is a small market that has invested multiple years in growing their SNAP program. Grant funds will be used to replace their Novo Dia equipment and capitalize on the time and resources they have spent to make local food accessible to their low income consumers.

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’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.

Raisin Roots is a family farm dedicated to serving SNAP customers, even reserving 25% of their CSA shares for low-income consumers. They will use the grant funds to leverage their existing connections in their community to market the program, as well as purchase new equipment.

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.

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.

 

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 families in their community by donating to the Mini-Grant Program today!

We would like thank each and every donor 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.