FEDERAL AGENCY:

FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AUTHORIZATION:

Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Public Law 107-171, 116 Stat. 334; Section 4402, 7 U.S.C. 3007.

OBJECTIVES:

(1) To provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from farmers markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs to low-income seniors, and (2) to increase the consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding, developing, or aiding in the development and expansion of domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Grants are made to State departments such as health, agriculture and aging, State territories and Federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, or any other agency approved by the chief executive officer of the State. Grant funds may be used only to support the costs of the foods that are provided under the SFMNP; no administrative funding is available.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   All States, United States territories, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments are eligible to apply for a grant.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Persons eligible for the program are low-income seniors, generally defined as individuals who are at least 60-years old and who have household income of not more than 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines (published each year by the Department of Health and Human). Some State agencies accept proof of participation or enrollment in another means-tested program, such as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program or Food Stamps, for SFMNP eligibility.

Credentials/Documentation:   In addition to submitting an application based on the requirements of the grant solicitation, potential grantees must submit a standard SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, form. In addition, potential grantees must submit forms in which they agree to comply with USDA regulations and Office of Management and Budget circulars, including: Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments, Government-wide Debarment and Suspension; Government-wide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace; and, New Restrictions on Lobbying.

Pre-application Coordination:   Each State applying for a SFMNP grant must designate a lead State agency. Each State may only submit one application on behalf of all interested State agencies, local governments, and non-profit organizations in the State. However, the lead State agency may make subgrants to other State agencies, Indian tribal governments, local governments, and non-profit organizations. Also, Indian tribal governments may make subgrants to local governments and non-profit organizations in the areas they serve. Interested agencies are encouraged to contact the Governor's office or Indian tribal governments to work together on an application. If multiple applications are received from more than one agency within the same State, FNS reserves the right to contact the Governor's office in that State for a final designation of the lead State agency. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Under the competitive grant process, FNS announces the opportunity for States, including territories and Federally recognized Indian tribal governments, to submit grant applications for the SFMNP for each fiscal year. All applications are due by a specified date to FNS Headquarters.

Award Procedure:   Applications are reviewed and evaluated by a panel of FNS staff to determine the technical merit of each grant application. Two separate panels evaluate applications; one panel reviews applications from current State agencies that are seeking expansion funds and another panel reviews applications from new State agencies. SFMNP funds are first provided to current State agencies that operated the program in the prior fiscal year, and that want to continue operations, at the level of funds that were actually expended during the prior fiscal year. Based on the evaluation of the applications and availability of funds, remaining funds are provided to current State agencies selected to receive expansion funds and to new State agencies selected to operate the program. Grant payments are made by a letter of credit.

Deadlines:   A deadline for the submission of grant applications is set forth in the announcement by FNS. In general, applications are due approximately 60 days after the announcement to request grant applications.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:    

In general, FNS will announce SFMNP awards, and notify each State agency that did not receive an award, approximately 60 days after the date applications are due to FNS.

Appeals:    

All decisions by the FNS selecting officials are final. However, unsuccessful applicants are offered a debriefing to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of their proposals.

Renewals:    

Current State agencies are required to submit updated information annually.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:    

SFMNP grant funds are provided only to support the costs of the foods that are provided under the SFMNP; no administrative funding is provided.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:    

SFMNP funds are provided for the duration of the fiscal year using Federal Reserve Bank letters of credit.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Grantees are required to submit two financial status reports and two progress reports to FNS. The progress reports must indicate the number of outlets authorized to receive coupons (i.e., farmers, farmers markets, roadside stands and/or community supported agriculture programs) by category and the number of recipients who have been issued coupons.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," State governments that expend Federal financial assistance of $500,000 or more within any fiscal year shall have either a single audit or (in certain cases) a program specific audit made for that year. Audits may be conducted less frequently under conditions specified in A-133.

Records:   State agencies must maintain records as necessary to support the SFMNP funds. Such records must be retained for a period of 3 years after the date of submission of the final report for the fiscal year to which the records pertain, except that if audit findings have not been resolved, the records shall be retained beyond the three year period as long as required for the resolution of the issues raised by the audit..

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

12-4336-0-1-351.

Obligations:  

(Grants) FY 03 $0; FY 04 est $0; and FY 05 est $20,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
For FY 2003, the range of funds provided to State agencies was from $6,440 to $1.5 million; the average amount of awards was just over $420,500.

Home | How to Apply for Federal Assistance | Writing a Winning Grant Proposal | Understanding the Federal Program Descriptions