Minnesota Good Food Access Program: Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant

Jenny Lezer
651.201.6133
Jenny.Lezer@state.mn.us

Jennifer Alexander
651.201.6213
Jennifer.J.Alexander@state.mn.us

MDA.AGRIGrants@state.mn.us
651.201.6500

Minnesota Good Food Access Program (GFAP) Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant provides funds to assist grocery stores and small food retailers in making physical improvements and purchasing equipment in order to increase access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for underserved communities in low and moderate income areas.

Potential projects may include:

• Retail display coolers and freezers
• Storage coolers and freezers
• Shelving
• Mobile food trucks
• Permanent infrastructure at farmers markets
• Architectural work
• Costs associated with the installation of equipment and/or physical improvements

Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate positive economic and health impacts on underserved communities, including creation and retention of jobs for local or regional residents from low-income and moderate-income areas that reflect the area demographics, including communities of color.

Eligible applicants are for-profit and nonprofit grocery stores and small food retailers, such as a corner store, convenience store, farmers' market, mobile food market, and a retail food outlet operated by an emergency food program or food hub.

Applicants must be in or serve a census tract designated as a food desert or must serve a substantial subpopulation, such as the elderly or disabled or those in a low- or moderate-income census tract, who have low supermarket access.

Tribal communities and other organizations that serve tribal communities are encouraged to apply.

Award ceiling: $75,000
Award floor: $5,000
Estimated number of awards: 15-25
Estimated total program funding: $935,000

Links to additional guidance, application instructions, and the online application portal are available on the program website.