If you are a CSA farm that already accepts SNAP (food stamps) as a source of payment for weekly CSA shares, this grant should be of interest to you. If you do not currently participate in this program, you will need to partner with a non-profit or local government to be the applicant. Your local CCE office, your county department of health, a local food pantry or other non-profits are all possible partners for this grant. Here is the information about the program:
The Department invites eligible entities to apply for funds through the FreshConnect CSA for SNAP Grant Program, which will allow SNAP participants to access the popular Community Supported Agriculture model by partially subsidizing the cost of weekly share purchases.
New York producers are eligible to be reimbursed for up to to 50% of the cost of a weekly share purchased by a SNAP recipient with their SNAP benefits through an awarded third-party applicant. So, for example, if your weekly share is $30 if you charge people using SNAP $15 per share you could be reimbursed an additional $15, so would receive the full $30.
All proposals should identify the producers providing items for the programs weekly shares and or the beneficiaries of the reduced cost share. Applications must select CSAs that already accept SNAP payments as a form of payment. The period of performance is June 1, 2024 – November 15, 2024.
The deadline for questions to Ag and Markets: June 21, 2024
- Attn: FreshConnect CSA for SNAP Program, Alison Nickford, NYS Ag and Markets
- Fax (518) 457-8398
- e-mail farmersmarkets@agriculture.ny.gov
The deadline for applications: August 27, 2024. Applications are awarded on a rolling basis until the funding is depleted, so it is to your advantage to apply early.
Applications must be submitted through the Statewide Financial System (SFS) to be considered for funding. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.