By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the availability of $32.4 million in grant funding to support local and regional food markets across the United States. The funding is offered through the Local Agriculture Market Program and is designed to help farmers, food businesses, and communities improve market access and coordination.
Through the Farmers Market Promotion Program and the Local Food Promotion Program, USDA is making $27.68 million available. These programs support both direct and indirect marketing efforts.
Direct marketing includes farmers markets, roadside stands, agritourism activities, community-supported agriculture programs, and online food sales. Indirect marketing focuses on food hubs, shared-use kitchens, food incubators, and similar food enterprises that connect farmers to consumers.
In addition, $4.71 million is available through the Regional Food System Partnerships program. This program supports partnerships between producers, processors, distributors, and institutions such as schools, colleges, and healthcare facilities.
These partnerships help strengthen regional food networks and create stable market opportunities for local producers.
The Local Agriculture Market Program is administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and is funded by the 2018 Farm Bill. All applicants are required to provide a 25% cash match for the federal funds requested. This shared investment encourages responsible project planning and long-term impact.
Grant applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by June 5, 2026. USDA encourages new applicants to attend informational webinars and review frequently asked questions available online. Grants management specialists are also available to assist during the application process.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National