The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announces, through this Request for Applications, the availability of $ 3. 3 million in competitive grant funds, to be awarded through the Farmers’ Market SNAP Support Grants (FMSSG) in fiscal year (FY) 201 5.

credit: John Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences Department of Economics

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As approved by Congress in the President’s FY 2014 budget request for FNS (The Food and Nutrition Service:
2014, Explanatory Notes), these funds are intended to support “the participation of farmers’ markets in SNAP by providing equipment and support grants to new markets and those currently participating in the program.” The goals of the FMSSG program are to increase SNAP accessibility and participation at farmers’ markets, and support the establishment, expansion, and promotion of SNAP/Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) services at farmers’ markets.

This is a new program, which may continue in subsequent years.

Grant funds must be used to conduct tasks that are necessary for SNAP to operate at farmers’ markets, and to increase the number and effectiveness of farmers’ market participation in SNAP.