2017 Farmer/Producer Mini Grant

The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) is seeking proposals for grants ranging between $500-$2000 that will address gaps in the local food supply chain and infrastructure. Often schools have limited kitchen infrastructure and/or distribution needs related to sourcing local products that create hurdles when implementing Farm to School cafeteria procurement programs. We are offering grants to both local farmers and to any producer/entrepreneur interested in supplying a school participating in the Drive for 25 Farm to School Program.

Visit Adirondack.org/Drivefor25 for a map of participating schools. Applications for Competitive Grants should include:
- Contact: A primary contact, name, e-mail, job title, business name, and phone number
- Farm(s)/Business Description: Briefly describe your farm(s)/food business and the products produced. (approx. 200 words)
- School Buyer(s): The names of the school(s) you plan to supply and description of the existing relationship
- Current Farm to School and/or Food Processing Efforts: A short narrative summary of your current efforts and interest level in the Farm to School market. This should include the kinds of products and forms (whole, peeled, frozen, etc) you supply. (approx. 200 words)
- Plan: A short narrative summary of what you plan to do and why it’s important to this market. Describe how the funding will be used to address minimal processing, delivery, and seasonality of local food. Explain the anticipated increase in local food sales to schools. (approx.. 20-100 words)
- Costs: A list of material/project costs noting mini-grant funds and any matching funds or inkind investments
- Goals: A short explanation of how this funding will help you jump start supplying schools in the Drive for 25, and how you plan to continue those efforts after this funding is used. (200- 500 words).
- Reporting: A commitment to sending ANCA a brief report of how funds were spent and any observed impacts on your Farm to School supply goals.

Applications are due no later than November 6, 2017. Applicants will be informed of our decisions no later than November 30th, 2017. Please submit your application to Josh Bakelaar, jbakelaar@adirondack.org.