New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball has announced that $1 million is available to New York’s farmers’ markets through the third round of the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program.
Grant funding will help farmers’ markets across the state to enhance local food system resiliency by improving market infrastructure, modernizing systems, and increasing marketing and promotions efforts. Funding for the program was included in the New York State Budget and builds on Governor Hochul’s commitment to ensure a resilient food system in New York State.
Commissioner Ball said, “Our farmers’ markets are a staple in our communities, offering the opportunity for New Yorkers to purchase fresh local food and connect with their farmers, while providing a market for New York agricultural producers. Through this program, we are seeing terrific projects that are helping our markets increase their promotional efforts to reach even more consumers and funding online platforms that are not only making it easier for farmers to do business but encouraging sales at participating locations. That means our families can take advantage of all that our farmers’ markets offer, including supplemental benefits for our underserved communities.”
Funding through the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program is available for projects that help markets build out infrastructure, including booths, signage, and cold storage, and electronic infrastructure like website development, including online sales capabilities. Projects may also include marketing and promotion initiatives for markets across the state, helping to expand their reach to more consumers. Projects funded should help the food system remain resilient, especially when supply chain disruptions occur, and help foster a commitment to long-term market viability, sustainability, and accessibility.
Grants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 will be awarded to successful applicants. Eligibility criteria and more information on the program, including how to apply, can be found at https://agriculture.ny.gov/rfa-0359-farmers-market-resiliency-grant-program. The deadline for applications is 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Applications for funding must conform to the format provided in the SFS and will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are expended. A webinar with program information will take place on February 26 at noon. Learn more and register at https://tinyurl.com/bdewnkdh.
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