USDA Rural Development will begin accepting the first round of applications for the Rural e-Connectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program) on April 23, 2019, through reconnect.usda.gov. 4794), which allows the Secretary to make competitive grants for the acquisition of special purpose scientific research equipment for use in the food and agricultural sciences programs of eligible institutions. USDA foods to food banks are primarily intended for the use in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which serves low-income people ages 60 and over. U.S. agricultural commodities donated to recipient countries are sold on the local market and the proceeds are used to support agricultural, economic or infrastructure development programs. USDA provides homeownership opportunities to low- and moderate-income rural Americans through several loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs. This fall, the Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Community Food Systems (OCFS), will announce the request for applications for the FY2022 Farm to School Grant Program. A: Food banks are private, non-profit entities who have broad discretion over their own activities. FNS partners with food banks and other state distributing agencies by providing USDA foods through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Learn more about CFAP 1 by visiting farmers.gov/cfap1. USDA announced the first round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, CFAP 1, on April 17, 2020. The Food Safety Outreach Program will build upon that national infrastructure, with a sustained focus on delivery of customized training to members of the target PPs are to focus on a defined community and describe in detail the activities and outcomes of the planning project. The Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) program supports partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. In FY 2020 and FY 2021, NIFA's CFP intends to solicit applications and fund two types of grants. $72.4 million in grant funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) and $4.4 million in grant funding through the new Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP). USDA has been approving state requests as quickly as possible to allow for additional substitution options if certain WIC-prescribed foods are unavailable. These programs provide nutritious meals and snacks to children through public-private partnerships with organizations committed to caring for children. FNS partners with food banks and other state distributing agencies by providing USDA foods through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). A: Any entity that provides to the supplier proof of its 501(c)(3) tax exempt status or a government entity (e.g. Submit within six months from the issuance of this notice (NIFA may not consider comments received after the sixth month). The 2019 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant Request for Applications is available now. The programs also make funding available to individuals to finance vital improvements necessary to make their homes decent, safe, and sanitary. The types are entitled (1) Community Food Projects (CFP) and (2) Planning Projects (PP). The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, is designed to supplement the diets of participants to address certain nutritional needs. In addition, many food banks are using a drive-through model in which recipients receive a box of foods that is placed directly in their vehicle by staff or volunteers. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has many grant programs that can be used and increasingly are being used to support this kind of work. This new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program will take several actions to assist farmers, ranchers, and consumers in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. Paul Kiecker. A: Food banks are private, non-profit entities who work in their local communities to gather donations and distribute foods to those in need who may not be accessing other assistance programs. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided an additional $450 million for TEFAP. OCFS encourages those seeking grant funding to review the materials available on the website, including prior grant awards, requests for applications, and … Q: How will distributors find non-profit organizations? Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Official websites use .gov Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. JUMP TO:Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Special Supplement Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)Food Distribution, For the latest on what the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has done since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic to keep people fed, visit: www.fns.usda.gov/coronavirus. The term “value-added” includes any agricultural commodity or product wh… The Food for Progress Program helps developing countries and emerging democracies modernize and strengthen their agricultural sectors. USDA will accept applications on Grants.gov until midnight July 6, 2020. CFAP 1 provided direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19. This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. Both programs are authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and awarded to eligible states and territories through a non-competitive application process. A: Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, USDA has suspended the work requirements (PDF, 359 KB) for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) throughout the national emergency. The Equipment Grants Program (EGP) is authorized under 7 USC 3310a (Pub. In 2020, USDA awarded 23 partnerships in 15 states. Jasper Schneider, USDA Rural Development state director, announced today that Morning Joy Farm in Mercer, North Dakota received a grant to organize a producer cooperative and launch the first food hub to market local grower products in North Dakota. CFPs are designed to create community-based food projects with objectives, activities and outcomes that are in alignment with Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) primary goals. Under Secretary for Food Safety. The Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) (7 U.S.C. A lock ( LockA locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. The purpose of the equipment assistance grant is to address the infrastructure needs of eligible School Food Authorities (SFAs) in the National School Lunch Program. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser’s address (or “location”) bar. The Food Safety Outreach Program will complement and expand the national infrastructure of the National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach, and Technical Assistance Competitive Grants Program. food, preserve natural resources, and support vibrant rural communities. A: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, allows USDA to minimize face-to-face interaction in WIC by reducing required visits to the clinic through a variety of waivers provided to state agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs). Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, states can request additional food package flexibility from USDA. The .gov means it’s official. All three programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. U.S. Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the CFP is to support the development of projects with a one-time infusion of federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining. A: Disaster Household Distribution provides food directly to households in targeted areas to meet specific needs when traditional channels of food are unavailable and not being regularly replenished, such as following a natural disaster. If you need any kind of assistance, please call 907-745-7200 and our staff will be glad to help you. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. 4 Bette Brand Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development U.S. Department of Agriculture Together America Prospers . 2034). In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. A: FNS continues to operate its normal food distribution programs including The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which makes USDA Foods available to state distribution agencies like food banks; the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which serves low-income people ages 60 and over; and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). A: FNS is aware of some scams trying to take advantage of the current emergency to obtain confidential information from SNAP recipients, including social security numbers, bank information, or a participant’s SNAP EBT card number. When a localized need is identified, such as disrupted food supply, food banks should check with their state agency regarding a Disaster Household Distribution program. The purpose of a Planning Project (PP) is to complete a plan toward the improvement of community food security in keeping with the primary goals of the CFPCGP. To learn more about the pilot, including participating states and retailers, visit: www.fns.usda.gov/snap/online-purchasing-pilot. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture crops (including honey, hops, and maple syrup), and nursery crops (including Christmas trees and floriculture). USDA has provided states broad discretion to set eligibility limits for TEFAP and ensured that states can take limited eligibility information such as name, address, and self-reported income via telephone, text or electronically, or by receiving a 1-page affidavit in a dropbox. Successful local and regional food initiatives offer models that can be replicated and lead to large-scale systems change. List of information about Rural grants and payments. Governmental organizations that submit requests must have similar operational and financial capability. DHD provides boxes of USDA Foods to households in need using existing inventories of USDA-purchased foods. For example, USDA is allowing states to conduct SNAP quality control interviews by telephone instead of in person. 2034) was authorized by Public Law 104-127 (Title IV, section 401(h), April 4, 1996) which amended the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. As a result, WIC purchases must be of foods approved by their state. The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing to help increase access to and availability of locally … The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provided USDA an additional $400 million for TEFAP, up to $100 million of which can be used to help agencies cover costs of distributing a higher volume of food due to COVID-19. We are also available for necessary in-person meetings by appointment. The types are entitled (1) Community Food Projects (CFP) and (2) Planning Projects (PP). Administrator. (Washington, D.C., April 17, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). *Note:MIPS website works best when used with Microsoft's Internet Explorer. FNS continues to promote its SNAP Online Purchasing pilot that allow SNAP shoppers to buy their groceries online and is bringing new stores into the program. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management. Q: What entities will be eligible to receive food from contracted distributors? The FY 2021 Farm to School Grant Request for Applications has Closed. Visit our website for more information on approved waivers for food package substitutions: www.fns.usda.gov/wic/food-package-substitution-waiver. VAPG is a competitive grant program administered by the Rural Business-Cooperative Serviceof the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides funding to farmers and groups of farmers to create or develop value-added producer-owned businesses. CACFP also provides reimbursements for meals served to children and youth participating in afterschool care programs, children residing in … January 19, 2021| Montpelier, VT – The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announces grant funds to strengthen Vermont’s specialty crop industries. In addition, FNS has allowed WIC agencies to issue two months of infant formula at a time to cut down on staff interaction. USDA has provided states broad discretion to set eligibility limits for TEFAP and ensured that states can take limited eligibility information such as name, address, and self-reported income via telephone, text … USDA has also offered states an optional 45-day extension on certain quality control case reviews. Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. Micro-Grants for Food Security Program. current filters. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS