{"id":55273,"date":"2021-10-06T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-06T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sustainableagriculture.net\/?p=55273"},"modified":"2022-06-09T16:46:04","modified_gmt":"2022-06-09T20:46:04","slug":"covid-relief-funding-now-available-for-farmers-markets-processors-and-underserved-farmers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainableagriculture.net\/blog\/covid-relief-funding-now-available-for-farmers-markets-processors-and-underserved-farmers\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID Relief Funding NOW Available for Farmers Markets, Processors and Underserved Farmers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photo credit: Laura James<\/a><\/strong> from Pexels<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

With farmers pulling long hours at the height of harvest season, and cases of the coronavirus skyrocketing across the country, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now providing additional funding to help many in our food and farm supply chains who were left out of previous aid programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of October 6, USDA is now accepting applications for its Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program<\/strong> and will be doling out more than $650 million in aid to food processors, distributors, farmers markets, and producers who have been impacted by the pandemic. The deadline for submitting applications is by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, November 22, 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to see if this program is right for you or those in your community. More details can be found at the USDA\u2019s PRS portal.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is eligible?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PRS funding is available for food processors, distributors, farmers markets, food hubs, and producers that meet the Small Business Administration\u2019s (SBA) \u201csmall business\u201d size standards, as well as non-profit organizations, both those with 501(c)3 status and non-profits with other IRS designations. This includes small-scale diversified and specialty crop producers, produce distribution companies, meat processors and distributors, food hubs, and farmers markets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All farmers markets are considered \u201csmall\u201d. For all other businesses, check to see if you meet the Small Business criteria here<\/a>. (Note: you will need to know your 6 digit NAICS code. If you don’t know which NAICS code to select, visit census.gov<\/a>). Food hubs that sell into multiple market channels (i.e.- wholesale and direct to consumer,) should use the “Merchant Wholesaler, Nondurable Goods” NAICS set of codes. If the food hub is marketing a mix of items (fresh produce, manufactured goods, animal products, etc.), in other words, not just fresh produce, they can either choose the predominant merchant category (e.g., mostly fresh fruit and vegetables,) or apply under \u201cOther grocery and related products\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More details on eligibility can be found on AMS\u2019s eligibility portal<\/a>. AMS has also developed an online video discussing program eligibility that can be viewed here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to apply<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  1. If you think you might be eligible for funding, and are interested in applying, first verify your eligibility here<\/a>. <\/li>
  2. If you are eligible, then register for your DUNS number here<\/a> (if you don’t already have one), you must have a DUNS number in order to submit an application. While it should only take less than 5 minutes to complete your DUN application, it can take up to 5 business days to receive your DUNS number, so do not wait until the last minute! An AMS video tutorial on applying for a DUNS number is available here<\/a>. <\/li>
  3. Finally, once you have verified that you are eligible and received a DUNS number, click here<\/a> to complete USDA\u2019s online PRS application by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, November 22, 2021.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    A video tutorial providing an overview of the application process can be found here.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What costs are covered?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Costs incurred between January 27, 2020 and December 31, 2021 to respond to and protect workers against the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are eligible for reimbursement. These include costs to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n