SAMPLE: Grant Application into Grants.gov

OMB No. 0581‐0240

FARMERS MARKET AND LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION PROGRAM
2023 PROJECT NARRATIVE FORM AND INSTRUCTIONS
NOT For Turnkey Marketing and Promotion Application Projects

This form is mandatory for all FMLFPP project type applications, EXCEPT for the Turnkey Marketing and Promotion. Turnkey
Marketing and Promotion applicants are required to complete the Turnkey Project Narrative Form only, available at the
program website. Thoroughly review the applicable Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) or Local Food Promotion
Program (LFPP) Request for Applications (RFA) before completing this form. This form must be converted to PDF and attached to
the application package within Grants.gov.

1. Applicant Organization

Must match box 8 of the SF-424.

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
Mailing Address:
2. Authorized Organization Representative (AOR)

This person is responsible for signing any documentation should the grant be awarded. Must match box 21 of the SF-424.

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
Mailing Address: ☐ Check if same as above

3. Project Coordinator or Director (PC/PD)

This cannot be the same person listed as the AOR.

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
Mailing Address: ☐ Check if same as above

4. Applicant Entity Type

Select each applicable entity type as defined in Section 3.1 of the RFA. If your organization is a State Agency Regional
Farmers Market Authority, you must provide the regulatory statute(s) that identify your agency as that entity type.

☐ Agricultural Business or Cooperatives

☐ Public Benefit Corporation

☐ Economic Development Corporation
☐ Food Council

☐ State Agency Regional Farmers Market
Authority (Indicate Regulation Below):
__________________________________

☐ Local Government

☐ Tribal Government

☐ Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Network or Association

☐ Nonprofit Corporation

☐ Producer Network or Association

☐ Regional Farmers Market Authority

☐ Other (Specify Below):
__________________________________

OMB No. 0581‐0240

5. Project Activity Category

Identify all the activity categories that fit your project.

☐ Aggregation

☐ Production Diversification /Expansion

☐ Farm to Institution

☐ On-Farm Food Waste

☐ Food Safety

☐ Training and Education

☐ Agritourism

☐ Farmer Recruitment and Retention

☐ Organic

☐ Season Extension

☐ Infrastructure

☐ Transportation and Distribution

☐ Processing

☐ Other (specify below):
______________________________

☐ Marketing and Promotion

☐ Value-added Production

6. Project Title (Provide a descriptive title. Must match box 15 of the SF-424.):

7. Grant Application Project Type (Described in Section 1.3 of the RFA)
FMPP:
☐ Capacity Building (CB)
☐ Community Development Training and
Technical Assistance (CTA)

LFPP:
☐ Planning
☐ Implementation
☐ Farm to Institution

8. Requested FMLFPP Funds

Insert the total amount ($) of Federal funds requested. This must match the total amount requested on Line 18a. Estimated
Federal Funding of the SF-424.

$
9. Matching Funds

Applicant must provide a 25% match on the total Federal portion of the grant. This must match the total amount requested
on Line 18b Applicant Funding of the SF-424. See Section 4.1 of the RFA for more information.

$
10. Does the proposal address a Priority Area as described in Section 1.4 of the RFA?

See instructions on how to determine priority eligibility at Qualifying for Priority Consideration at the end of this form.

☐ Yes ☐ No

11. Project Implementation Physical Address

Enter up to three addresses where this project will be implemented. If you are requesting consideration as a priority area,
enter the Food Access Research Atlas Low Income/Low Access (LI/LA) Census Tract number. For detailed instructions, see
Qualifying for Priority Consideration at the end of this form.

#

Address

LI/LA

LI/LA Census Tract # (if applicable)

1
2
3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 250 words or less, briefly describe the project’s purpose; activities to be performed, including subawards (when applicable);
deliverables and expected outcomes; intended beneficiaries; and any other pertinent information. This summary will be made
available to the public.

ALIGNMENT AND INTENT
Describe the specific issue, problem, or need that the project will address in relation to the Statutory Language found in the RFA
in Section 1. Answering this question should clearly justify the project’s objectives and approach, and not just provide the
associated statistics. You must articulate the reason behind the selected local or regional food system development effort.

List objectives for this project.

The objectives must be related to addressing the issue(s), problem(s), or need(s) mentioned above and related to the project’s
approach and work plan. Add objectives as necessary.

•
•
•

Objective 1:
Objective 2:
Objective 3:

Who are the intended beneficiaries of this project and how many are there? How does the project
specifically benefit farm and ranch operations serving local markets?
What are the expected short-and long-term impacts to the beneficiaries of this project?

Specifically, the project should focus on the benefits to farm and ranch operations serving local markets.

3

TECHNICAL MERIT
Work Plan

Describe the activities and timeline associated with each project objective mentioned in the Alignment and Intent section.
Include the following information:
A timeline for each planned activity and major output including the anticipated date of completion; how and where the activities
will take place; required resources; milestone(s) for assessing progress and success; who is responsible for completing the
activity, including collaborative arrangements or subcontractors; if conducting training and technical assistance, how
participants will be recruited and how you will help guide program development and delivery. DO NOT modify the FMLFPP
Project Narrative form.

Objective:

Include the objective this
activity will be tied to

List and
describe
each planned
activity:

Include the
scope of work
and how it
relates to the
project
objectives
Sample Activity
1

Anticipated
completion
date:

October 20XX

Required
resources:

For completion of
each activity

Hire contractor
Refrigerator
equipment

Milestones:

For assessing
progress and
success of each
activity

Who will do
the work?

Include
collaborative
arrangements or
subcontractors

Milestone 1:
Complete XX
assessment

ABC Best
Contracting
Service

Milestone 2:
Initiate XX
equipment
purchases

XYZ Company’s
Executive Director

Have you received a past FMPP or LFPP grant award?
☐ Yes ☐ No

Have you submitted this project to another Federal grant program?
☐ Yes ☐ No

Are you a current Regional Food System Partnership (RFSP) recipient?
☐ Yes ☐ No

If yes to the above questions, please provide the information below. Provide AMS agreement number for grants received in the
past 5 years. Describe how the project is/was different from previous grants or how it supplements the proposed activities; and
the results of the current project (if applicable). Include lessons learned, what can be improved, and how these lessons and
improvements will be incorporated into this application to meet program goals effectively and successfully.

4

Grant award

Year

Program Name, Type of Grant (if
applicable) and/or AMS Grant
Agreement (if applicable)

Description

ACHIEVABILITY
This section includes the outcome indicator evaluation plan.

Outcome Indicators

Complete all applicable project Outcomes and Indicators with baseline and/or estimated realistic target numbers. If an outcome
indicator does not apply, check N/A (Not Applicable). For additional information on how to collect data for these outcomes and
indicators, refer to the Performance Measures Data Collection Guide.

Outcome 1: Develop Business Plans and Feasibility Studies
Indicator
1.1
1.2
1.2a
1.2b
1.2c
1.2d
1.2e
1.2f
1.2g
1.3
1.3a
1.3b
1.4

Description
Total number of supply chain analyses, market assessments,
feasibility, or other relevant studies developed
Number of the following identified through needs assessment or
feasibility studies:
New markets
Unmet consumer needs
Barriers to local foods
Unserved populations
Supply chain gaps
Partnership opportunities
Other identified needs
Number of projects:
Deemed viable after conducting feasibility study, or
Deemed not viable after conducting feasibility study
Number of business development plans created

Estimated
number

N/A
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Outcome 2: Facilitate Regional Food Chain Coordination and Increase Capacity of Direct-toConsumer Entities
Estimated
Indicator
Description
N/A
number
2.1
Total number of partnerships and/or collaborations established
☐
between producers/ processors and local/regional supply networks
___. Of those established:
The number formalized with written agreements (i.e. MOU’s, signed
2.1a
☐
contracts, etc.)
The number of partnerships with underserved organizations
2.1b
☐
5

Indicator
2.2

2.3

2.2a
2.2b
2.2c
2.2d
2.2e

2.3a
2.4
2.5
2.5a
2.5b
2.5c
2.5d
2.5e
2.5f
2.5g
2.5h
2.5i
2.5j
2.5k
2.5l
2.5m
2.5n

Description
Of the total number of partnerships and collaborations identified in
2.1, the number that reported:
Expanded/improved regional food systems
Higher profits
More efficient transportation
Improved marketing channels
Other mid-tier value chain enhancements
Total number of stakeholders trained on how to develop or sustain
a direct-to-consumer enterprise
Of those trained, the number that are new/ beginning producers
Number of strategic plans developed or updated

Estimated
number

N/A
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Total number of new direct producer-to-consumer market access
points established ___. Of those, the number that were:

☐

Farmers markets
Roadside stands
Agritourism
Grocery stores
Wholesale markets/buyers
Restaurants
Agricultural cooperatives
Retailers
Distributors
Food hubs
Shared-use kitchens
School food programs
Community-supported agriculture (CSAs)
Other

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Outcome 3: Develop the Market for Local/Regional Agricultural Products
Please provide estimated target numbers.

Indicator
3.1
3.1a
3.1b
3.1c
3.1d
3.1e
3.1f
3.1g

Description
Number of stakeholders that gained technical knowledge about
producing, preparing, procuring, and/or accessing local/regional
foods ___. Of those, the number that were:
Farmers Markets
Roadside Stands
Agritourism
Grocery stores
Wholesale markets/buyers
Restaurants
Agricultural cooperatives
6

Estimated
number

N/A
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Indicator

Description

3.1h
3.1i
3.1j
3.1k
3.1l
3.1m
3.1n

Retailers
Distributors
Food hubs
Shared-use kitchens
School food programs
Community supported agriculture (CSAs)
Other
Total number of delivery systems/market access points that
increased engagement with local/regional producers ___. Of those,
the number that were:
Farmers Markets
Roadside Stands
Agritourism
Grocery stores
Wholesale markets/buyers
Restaurants
Agricultural cooperatives
Retailers
Distributors
Food hubs
Shared-use kitchens
School food programs
Community supported agriculture (CSAs)
Other
Number of new tools/ technologies developed to improve
local/regional food processing, distribution, aggregation, or storage
___.
Number of stakeholders trained to use new tools/technologies
Number of delivery systems/market access points that reported
increased or improved:
Processing
Distribution
Storage
Aggregation of locally/ regionally produced agricultural products
Total number of delivery systems/market access points that
established and/or expanded local/regional agricultural product or
service offerings___. Of those, the number that were:
Farmers Markets
Roadside Stands
Agritourism
Grocery stores
Wholesale markets/buyers

3.2
3.2a
3.2b
3.2c
3.2d
3.2e
3.2f
3.2g
3.2h
3.2i
3.2j
3.2k
3.2l
3.2m
3.2n
3.3
3.3a
3.4
3.4a
3.4b
3.4c
3.4d
3.5
3.5a
3.5b
3.5c
3.5d
3.5e

7

Estimated
number

N/A
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Indicator
3.5f
3.5g
3.5h
3.5i
3.5j
3.5k
3.5l
3.5m
3.5n
3.6
3.6a
3.6b
3.6c

Description
Restaurants
Agricultural cooperatives
Retailers
Distributors
Food hubs
Shared-use kitchens
School food programs
Community supported agriculture (CSAs)
Other
Number of delivery systems/market access points that reported
increased:
Revenue
Sales
Cost savings

Estimated
number

N/A
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Outcome 4: Increase Viability of Local/Regional Producers and Processors
Indicator
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.5a
4.6
4.7
4.7a
4.7b
4.7c
4.8
4.8a
4.8b

Description
Number of producers/processors who gained knowledge about new
market opportunities

Number of producer/processors that reported increased
engagement with new delivery systems or market access points
Number of producers/processors that implemented new or
improved operational methods
Number of value-added agricultural products developed
Number of producers/processors that reported selling new
local/regional food products
Number that reported selling new value-added products
Number of producers/processors that reported a reduction in onfarm food waste through new business opportunities and marketing
Number of producers/ processors that reported increased:
Revenue
Sales and/or
Cost savings due to local/regional food, operational, and/or valueadded product activities
Number of local/regional agricultural jobs
Created
Maintained

8

Estimated
number

N/A
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Indicator
4.9
4.9a
4.9b
4.9c
4.9d

Description
Total number of new producers who went into local/regional food
production ___. Of those, number who are:
Beginning farmers/ranchers
Socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers
Family farmers/ranchers
Veteran farmers/ranchers

Estimated
number

N/A
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Outcome 5: Improve Food Safety of Local/Regional Agricultural Products
Applicable to projects conducting a needs assessment (i.e. planning projects).

Indicator

5.1

5.2
5.2a
5.2b

5.3

5.4
5.5
5.5a
5.5b

Description
Number of stakeholders that gained knowledge about prevention,
detection, control, and/or intervention food safety practices,
including relevant regulations to mitigate risk (and to improve their
ability to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
and/or meet the standards for aligned third party food safety audits
such as Harmonized GAP/GHP)
Number of stakeholders that:
Established a food safety plan
Revised or updated their food safety plan
Number of specialty crop stakeholders who implemented
new/improved prevention, detection, control, and intervention
practices, tools, or technologies to mitigate food safety risks (and/or
to improve their ability to comply with the Food Safety
Modernization Act (FSMA) and/or meet the standards for aligned
third party food safety audits such as Harmonized GAP/GHP)
Number of prevention, detection, control, or intervention practices
developed or enhanced to mitigate food safety risks
Number of stakeholders that used these grant funds to:
Purchase
Upgrade food safety equipment

Estimated
number

N/A

☐

☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐

Outcome 6: Increase Consumption and Consumer Purchasing of Local/Regional Agricultural
Products
Estimated
Indicator
Description
N/A
number
6.1
Total number of consumers who gained knowledge about
☐
local/regional agricultural products ___. Of those, the number of:
6.1a
6.1b

☐
☐

Adults
Children
9

Indicator
6.2
6.2a
6.2b
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.5a
6.5b
6.5c

Description
Total number of consumers who purchased more local/regional
agricultural products ___. Of those, the number of:
Adults
Children
Number of additional local/regional agricultural product customers
counted
Number of additional business transactions executed for
local/regional agricultural products
Increased sales measured in:
Dollars
Percent change
Combination of volume and average price as a result of enhanced
marketing activities

Estimated
number

N/A
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Outcome Indicator Measurement

For each completed outcome indicator, describe how you derived the numbers, how you intend to measure and achieve each
relevant outcome and indicator, and any potential challenges to achieving the estimated targets and action steps for addressing
them.

Outcome
and
indicator #
I.e., 3.i., 6.a.,
6.b.

How did you derive the
estimated numbers?

I.e., documented background
or baseline information,
recent research and data, etc.

How and when do you
intend to evaluate?
I.e., surveys, 3rd party
assessment

Anticipated key factors
predicted to contribute to and
restrict outcome
Including action steps for addressing
identified restricting factors

Potential Adaptation of Project by Others

Discuss if and how this project can be adapted to other regions, communities, and/or agricultural systems.

Dissemination of Project Results

Describe how you will disseminate project’s results (positive and negative) to similar organizations, stakeholders, and others
that may be interested in the project’s results or implementing a similar project.

EXPERTISE AND PARTNERS
Key Staff (Applicant Personnel and External Partner/Collaborators)

List key staff, including applicant personnel and external project partners and collaborators (see section 3.2 in the RFA for
definitions) that comprise the Project Team, their role, their relevant experience, and past successes in developing and operating
projects similar to those to be conducted under this project. Applicant must include Letters of Commitment from Partner and
Collaborator Organizations to support the information (see section 5.2.7 in the RFA).

10

Key staff

Name and Title

Role

Relevant experience and past successes

Project Management Plan

Describe your management plan for coordination, communication, and data sharing and reporting among members of the
Project Team and stakeholder groups, including both internal applicant personnel and external partners and collaborators.

Project Sustainability

Describe how the project, and its partnerships and collaborations, will be sustained beyond the project’s period of performance
(without grant funds).

11

FISCAL PLAN AND RESOURCES
Please complete the Budget and Justification below and ensure that you have included Critical Resources and Infrastructure letters to support the application information (see
section 5.2.8 in the RFA). You must fill the SF-424 A Budget Information Non – Construction Programs Form along with this section.

BUDGET AND JUSTIFICATION
The budget must show the total cost for the project and describe how category costs listed in the budget are derived. The budget justification must provide enough detail for
reviewers to easily understand how costs were determined and how they relate to the Project Objectives and Expected Outcomes. The budget must show a relationship between
work planned and performed to the costs incurred.
Refer to RFA Section 4.4 Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities for more information on allowable and unallowable expenses.

Budget Summary
Expense category

Federal funds

Personnel
Fringe benefits
Travel
Equipment
Supplies
Contractual
Other (specify)
Direct costs subtotal
Indirect costs
Total budget (direct + indirect)

12

Cost share or match
applicant and 3rd parties

Personnel

List each person who has a substantive role in the project and the amount of the request and/ or the value of his or her match. Personnel costs should be reasonable for the
services rendered, conform to the established written policy of your organization, and consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities.

#

Name/title and justification
for requesting funds

Level of effort
(# of hours OR
% FTE)

Annual salary
requested
Year 1: $
Year 2: $
Year 3: $
Year 1: $
Year 2: $
Year 3: $
Year 1: $
Year 2: $
Year 3: $

1
2
3

Total funds
requested

Match value

$

$

$

$

$

$

Personnel subtotals: $

$

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

Fringe Benefits

Provide the fringe benefit rates for each of the project’s salaried employees listed above. The costs of fringe benefits should be reasonable and in line with established policies of
your organization.

#

Name/title

Fringe benefit rate

Funds requested
$

$

$

$

$

$

Fringe benefits subtotals: $

$

1
2
3

13

Match value

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

Travel

Explain the purpose for each Trip Request. Please note that travel costs are limited to those allowed by formal organizational policy; in the case of air travel, project participants must use
the lowest reasonable commercial airfares. For recipient organizations that have no formal travel policy and for-profit recipients, allowable travel costs may not exceed those established
by the Federal Travel Regulations, issued by GSA, including the maximum per diem and subsistence rates prescribed in those regulations. This information is available at
http://www.gsa.gov.

Trip
#

Trip destination, timing,
and justification for
requesting funds

Type of expense
(airfare, car rental,
hotel, meals,
mileage, etc.)

Unit of
measure

(days, nights,
miles)

# of
units

Cost
per
unit

Travelers
claiming
expense

Funds
requested

(#)

1
2
3

Match value

$

$

$

$

$

$

Travel subtotals: $

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

$

☐ By checking this box, I affirm that my organization’s established travel policies will be adhered to when completing the above-mentioned trips in
accordance with 2 CFR 200.474 or 48 CFR subpart 31.2, as applicable.

Equipment

Describe any special purpose equipment to be purchased or rented under the grant. ‘‘Special purpose equipment’’ is tangible, nonexpendable, personal property having a useful life of
more than one year and an acquisition cost that equals or exceeds $5,000 per unit and is used only for research, medical, scientific, or other technical activities. Rental of "general
purpose equipment’’ must also be described in this section. Purchase of general purpose equipment is not allowable under this grant.

Item
#

Item description and justification
for requesting funds

Rental or purchase

Acquire when?

Funds requested

Match value

$

$

$

$

$

$

Equipment subtotals: $

$

1
2
3

14

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

Supplies

List the materials, supplies, and fabricated parts costing less than $5,000 per unit and describe how they will support the purpose and goal of the proposal.

Item description and justification for
requesting funds

Cost Per-unit

# of units/pieces
purchased

Acquire
when?

$

Funds
requested

Match value
$

$

$

$

$

Supplies subtotal: $

$

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

Contractual

The Contractual section includes contractual, consultant, and subaward agreements that are part of the completion of the project. A subaward is an award provided by the non –
federal entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a Federal award received by the non-federal entity. Contractual/consultant costs are expenses associated
with purchasing goods and/or procuring services performed by an individual or organization other than the applicant in the form of a procurement relationship. If there is more
than one contractor or consultant or subaward, each must be described separately.

Type
1
☐ Contract
☐ Subaward
2
☐ Contract
☐ Subaward
3
☐ Contract
☐ Subaward

Name/organization and justification for requesting
funds

15

Hourly /
flat rate

$

Funds
requested

Match value
$

$

$

$

$

Contractual subtotal: $

$

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

☐ By checking this box, I affirm that my organization followed the same policies and procedures used for procurements from non-federal
sources, which reflect applicable State and local laws and regulations and conform to the Federal laws and standards identified in 2 CFR
§200.317 through §200.327, as applicable. If the contractor(s)/consultant(s) is/are not already selected, I affirm that my organization will follow
the same requirements.

Other

Include any expenses not covered in any of the previous budget categories. Be sure to break down costs into cost/unit. Expenses in this section include, but are not limited to,
meetings and conferences, communications, rental expenses, advertisements, publication costs, and data collection.

Item Description and Justification
for Requesting Funds

Per-Unit Cost

# of Units/Pieces
Purchased

Acquire
When?

$

Funds
Requested

Match Value
$

$

$

$

$

Other subtotal: $

$

Match Type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

Indirect

Indirect costs (also known as “facilities and administrative costs”—defined at 2 CFR §200.1) represent the expenses of doing business that are not readily identified with a
particular grant, contract, or project function or activity, but are necessary for the general operation of the organization and the conduct of activities it performs. For the indirect
cost formula and additional information, refer to Section 4.2 of the RFA.

Indirect cost rate requested (%)

$

Funds requested

16

$

Match value

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

Program Income

Program income is gross income—earned by a recipient or subrecipient under a grant—directly generated by the grant-supported activity or earned only because of the grant
agreement during the grant period of performance. Program income includes, but is not limited to, income from fees for services performed; the sale of commodities or items
fabricated under an award (this includes items sold at cost if the cost of producing the item was funded in whole or partially with grant funds); registration fees for conferences,
etc.

Source/nature of program income

Description of how you will reinvest the program income

Funds
expected
$
$
$

Program income total: $

17

QUALIFYING FOR PRIORITY CONSIDERATION
Food Access Research Atlas (Atlas) http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas.aspx
Once you enter the Atlas, check one of the four the map layer(s) that applies to the proposal’s targeted community.

Zoom in on the map to identify your community. Clicking on your targeted area will produce the census tract
and additional information about the locale. In the example below, the dark green area qualifies as low income
and low access, and the census tract would be 35047957600.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
PAPERWORK BURDEN STATEMENT
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501), an agency may not conduct or sponsor,
and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control
number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0240.The time required to
complete this information collection is estimated to average 4 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information.

OMB No. 0581‐0240

FARMERS MARKET AND LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION PROGRAM
2023 TURNKEY MARKETING AND PROMOTION PROJECT NARRATIVE FORM AND INSTRUCTIONS

This form is mandatory for all Turnkey Marketing and Promotion applications. Turnkey applications do NOT require the
completion of the FMLFPP Narrative Form. Thoroughly review the applicable Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) or
Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) Request for Applications (RFA) before completing this form. This form must be converted
to PDF and attached to the application package within Grants.gov.

1. Applicant Organization

Must match box 8 of the SF-424.

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
Mailing Address:
2. Authorized Organization Representative (AOR)

This person is responsible for signing any documentation should the grant be awarded. Must match box 21 of the SF-424.

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
Mailing Address: ☐ Check if same as above

3. Project Coordinator or Director (PC/PD)

This cannot be the same person listed as the AOR.

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
Mailing Address: ☐ Check if same as above

4. Applicant Entity Type

Select each applicable entity type as defined in Section 3.1 of the RFA. If your organization is a State Agency Regional
Farmers Market Authority, you must provide the regulatory statute(s) that identify your agency as that entity type.

☐ Agricultural Business or Cooperatives

☐ Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Network or Association

☐ Public Benefit Corporation

☐ Regional Farmers Market Authority

☐ Economic Development Corporation
☐ Food Council

☐ State Agency Regional Farmers Market
Authority (Indicate Regulation Below):
__________________________________

☐ Local Government

☐ Tribal Government

☐ Nonprofit Corporation

☐ Producer Network or Association

☐ Other (Specify Below):
__________________________________

OMB No. 0581‐0240

5. Project Activity Category

Identify all the activity categories that fit your project. The Marketing and Promotion box should be checked for all Turnkey
projects.

☐ Aggregation

☐ Organic

☐ Farm to Institution

☐ Training and Education

☐ Agritourism

☐ Season Extension

☐ Transportation and Distribution

☐ Farmer Recruitment and Retention

☐ Value-added Production

 Marketing and Promotion

6. Project Title (Provide a descriptive title. Must match box 15 of the SF-424.):

7. Grant Application Project Type (Described in Section 1.3 of the RFA)
FMPP:
☐ FMPP Turnkey Marketing and Promotion

LFPP:
☐ LFPP Turnkey Marketing and Promotion

8. Requested Funds

Insert the total amount ($) of Federal funds requested. This must match the total amount requested on Line 18a. Estimated
Federal Funding of the SF-424.

$
9. Matching Funds

Applicant must provide a 25% match on the total Federal portion of the grant. This must match the total amount requested
on Line 18b Applicant Funding of the SF-424. See Section 4.1 of the RFA for more information.

$
10. Does the proposal address the low income, low access Priority Area as described in Section 1.4 of
the RFA?
See instructions on how to determine priority eligibility at Qualifying for Priority Consideration at the end of this form.

☐ Yes ☐ No

11. Project Implementation Physical Address

Enter up to three addresses where this project will be implemented. If you are requesting consideration as a priority area,
enter the Food Access Research Atlas Low Income/Low Access (LI/LA) Census Tract number. For detailed instructions, see
Qualifying for Priority Consideration at the end of this form.

#
1

Address

LI/LA

LI/LA Census Tract # (if applicable)

2
3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 250 words or less, briefly describe the project’s purpose; activities to be performed, deliverables and expected outcomes;
intended beneficiaries; including subrecipients, key partners and collaborators (when applicable); and any other pertinent
information. This summary will be made available to the public.

TECHNICAL MERIT
Work Plan

Describe the activities and timeline associated with each project objective selected for the turnkey project. The Turnkey project
work plan includes five (5) prescribed objectives. There is flexibility in specific activities, budget, timeline and staffing for each
objective. Fill out the table below to include the following information:
A list and description of each planned activity, anticipated date of completion; resource required; milestone(s) for assessing
progress and success; and who is responsible for completing the activity, including collaborative arrangements or
subcontractors.
Reminder that the project must specifically benefit farm and ranch operations serving local markets, and must benefit more
than one agricultural producer, vendor, or individual. To qualify for this Turnkey application, you must work on at least 3 of the
objectives in the chart below. For those you will NOT be doing, please mark N/A in the second column for that objective.

Objective:

Include the objective this
activity will be tied to

List and
describe
each planned
activity:

Include the
scope of work
and how it
relates to the
project
objectives
Sample Activity
1

Anticipated
completion
date:

October 20XX

Required
resources:

For completion of
each activity

Hire contractor
Refrigerator
equipment

Identify and analyze
new/improved market
opportunities
3

Milestones:

For assessing
progress and
success of each
activity

Who will do
the work?

Include
collaborative
arrangements or
subcontractors

Milestone 1:
Complete XX
assessment

ABC Best
Contracting
Service

Milestone 2:
Initiate XX
equipment
purchases

XYZ Company’s
Executive Director

Objective:

Include the objective this
activity will be tied to

List and
describe
each planned
activity:
Include the
scope of work
and how it
relates to the
project
objectives

Anticipated
completion
date:

Required
resources:

For completion of
each activity

Milestones:

For assessing
progress and
success of each
activity

Who will do
the work?

Include
collaborative
arrangements or
subcontractors

Develop/revise a
marketing plan

Design/purchase
marketing and
promotion media
Implement a marketing
plan

Evaluate marketing and
promotion activities

Have you received a past FMPP or LFPP grant award?
☐ Yes ☐ No

Have you submitted this project to another Federal grant program?
☐ Yes ☐ No

Are you a current Regional Food System Partnership (RFSP) recipient?
☐ Yes ☐ No

If yes to the above questions, please provide the information below. Provide AMS agreement number for grants received in the
past 5 years. Describe how the project is/was different from previous grants or how it supplements the proposed activities; and
the results of the current project (if applicable). Include lessons learned, what can be improved, and how these lessons and
improvements will be incorporated into this application to meet program goals effectively and successfully.

4

Grant award

Year

Program Name, Type of Grant (if
applicable) and/or AMS Grant
Agreement (if applicable)

Description

ACHIEVABILITY
This section includes the outcome indicator evaluation plan.

Outcome Indicators

Complete all applicable project Outcomes and Indicators with baseline and/or estimated realistic target numbers. If an outcome
indicator does not apply, check N/A (Not Applicable). For additional information on how to collect data for these outcomes and
indicators, refer to the Performance Measures Data Collection Guide.

Outcome 1: Develop Business Plans and Feasibility Studies

Indicator
1.1
1.2
1.2a
1.2b
1.2c
1.2d
1.2e
1.2f
1.2g
1.3
1.3a
1.3b
1.4

Description
Total number of supply chain analyses, market assessments,
feasibility, or other relevant studies developed
Number of the following identified through needs assessment or
feasibility studies:
New markets
Unmet consumer needs
Barriers to local foods
Unserved populations
Supply chain gaps
Partnership opportunities
Other identified needs
Number of projects:
Deemed viable after conducting feasibility study, or
Deemed not viable after conducting feasibility study
Number of business development plans created

5

Estimated
number

N/A
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Outcome 2: Develop the Market for Local/Regional Agricultural Products

Indicator
2.1
2.1a
2.1b
2.1c
2.1d
2.1e
2.1f
2.1g
2.1h
2.1i
2.1j
2.1k
2.1l
2.1m
2.1n
2.2
2.2a
2.2b
2.2c
2.2d
2.2e
2.2f
2.2g
2.2h
2.2i
2.2j
2.2k
2.2l
2.2m
2.2n
2.3
2.3a
2.4
2.4a

Description
Number of stakeholders that gained technical knowledge about
producing, preparing, procuring, and/or accessing local/regional
foods ___. Of those, the number that were:
Farmers Markets
Roadside Stands
Agritourism
Grocery stores
Wholesale markets/buyers
Restaurants
Agricultural cooperatives
Retailers
Distributors
Food hubs
Shared-use kitchens
School food programs
Community supported agriculture (CSAs)
Other
Total number of delivery systems/market access points that
increased engagement with local/regional producers ___. Of those,
the number that were:
Farmers Markets
Roadside Stands
Agritourism
Grocery stores
Wholesale markets/buyers
Restaurants
Agricultural cooperatives
Retailers
Distributors
Food hubs
Shared-use kitchens
School food programs
Community supported agriculture (CSAs)
Other
Number of new tools/ technologies developed to improve
local/regional food processing, distribution, aggregation, or storage
___.
Number of stakeholders trained to use new tools/technologies
Number of delivery systems/market access points that reported
increased or improved:
Processing
6

Estimated
number

N/A
















☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐






Indicator
2.4b
2.4c
2.4d
2.5
2.5a
2.5b
2.5c
2.5d
2.5e
2.5f
2.5g
2.5h
2.5i
2.5j
2.5k
2.5l
2.5m
2.5n
2.6
2.6a
2.6b
2.6c

Description
Distribution
Storage
Aggregation of locally/ regionally produced agricultural products
Total number of delivery systems/market access points that
established and/or expanded local/regional agricultural product or
service offerings___. Of those, the number that were:
Farmers Markets
Roadside Stands
Agritourism
Grocery stores
Wholesale markets/buyers
Restaurants
Agricultural cooperatives
Retailers
Distributors
Food hubs
Shared-use kitchens
School food programs
Community supported agriculture (CSAs)
Other
Number of delivery systems/market access points that reported
increased:
Revenue
Sales
Cost savings

Estimated
number

N/A



☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Outcome 3: Increase Viability of Local/Regional Producers and Processors

Indicator
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.5a
3.6

Description
Number of producers/processors who gained knowledge about new
market opportunities
Number of producer/processors that reported increased
engagement with new delivery systems or market access points
Number of producers/processors that implemented new or
improved operational methods
Number of value-added agricultural products developed
Number of producers/processors that reported selling new
local/regional food products
Number that reported selling new value-added products
Number of producers/processors that reported a reduction in onfarm food waste through new business opportunities and marketing
7

Estimated
number

N/A
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Indicator
3.7
3.7a
3.7b
3.7c
3.8
3.8a
3.8b
3.9
3.9a
3.9b
3.9c
3.9d

Description
Number of producers/ processors that reported increased:
Revenue
Sales and/or
Cost savings due to local/regional food, operational, and/or valueadded product activities
Number of local/regional agricultural jobs
Created
Maintained
Total number of new producers who went into local/regional food
production ___. Of those, number who are:
Beginning farmers/ranchers
Socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers
Family farmers/ranchers
Veteran farmers/ranchers

Estimated
number

N/A
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Outcome 4: Increase Consumption and Consumer Purchasing of Local/Regional Agricultural
Products

Indicator

Description

4.1

Total number of consumers who gained knowledge about
local/regional agricultural products ___. Of those, the number of:

4.1a
4.1b
4.2

Adults
Children
Total number of consumers who purchased more local/regional
agricultural products ___. Of those, the number of:
Adults
Children
Number of additional local/regional agricultural product customers
counted
Number of additional business transactions executed for
local/regional agricultural products
Increased sales measured in:
Dollars
Percent change
Combination of volume and average price as a result of enhanced
marketing activities

4.2a
4.2b
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.5a
4.5b
4.5c

8

Estimated
number

N/A
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

EXPERTISE AND PARTNERS
Key Staff (Applicant Personnel and External Partner/Collaborators)

List key staff, including applicant personnel and external project partners and collaborators (see section 3.2 in the RFA for
definitions) that comprise the Project Team, their role, their relevant experience, and past successes in developing and operating
projects similar to those to be conducted under this project. Applicant must include Letters of Commitment from Partner and
Collaborator Organizations to support the information (see section 5.2.7 in the RFA).

Key staff

Name and Title

Role

Relevant experience and past successes

Project Management Plan

Describe your management plan for coordination, communication, and data sharing and reporting among members of the
Project Team and stakeholder groups, including both internal applicant personnel and external partners and collaborators.

9

FISCAL PLAN AND RESOURCES
Please complete the Budget and Justification below and ensure that you have included Critical Resources and Infrastructure letters to support the application information (see
section 5.2.8 in the RFA). You must fill the SF-424 A Budget Information Non – Construction Programs Form along with this section

BUDGET AND JUSTIFICATION
The budget must show the total cost for the project and describe how category costs listed in the budget are derived. The budget justification must provide enough detail for
reviewers to easily understand how costs were determined and how they relate to the Project Objectives and Expected Outcomes. The budget must show a relationship between
work planned and performed to the costs incurred.
Refer to RFA Section 4.4 Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities for more information on allowable and unallowable expenses.

Budget Summary
Expense category

Federal funds

Personnel
Fringe benefits
Travel
Supplies
Contractual
Other (specify)
Direct costs subtotal
Indirect costs
Total budget (direct + indirect)

10

Cost share or match
applicant and 3rd parties

Personnel

List each person who has a substantive role in the project and the amount of the request and/ or the value of his or her match. Personnel costs should be reasonable for the
services rendered, conform to the established written policy of your organization, and consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities.

#

Name/title and justification
for requesting funds

Level of effort
(# of hours OR
% FTE)

Annual salary
requested
Year 1: $
Year 2: $
Year 1: $
Year 2: $
Year 1: $
Year 2: $

1
2
3

Total funds
requested

Match value

$

$

$

$

$

$

Personnel subtotals: $

$

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

Fringe Benefits

Provide the fringe benefit rates for each of the project’s salaried employees listed above. The costs of fringe benefits should be reasonable and in line with established policies of
your organization.

#

Name/title

Fringe benefit rate

Funds requested
$

$

$

$

$

$

Fringe benefits subtotals: $

$

1
2
3

11

Match value

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

Travel

Explain the purpose for each Trip Request. Please note that travel costs are limited to those allowed by formal organizational policy; in the case of air travel, project participants
must use the lowest reasonable commercial airfares. For recipient organizations that have no formal travel policy and for-profit recipients, allowable travel costs may not exceed
those established by the Federal Travel Regulations, issued by GSA, including the maximum per diem and subsistence rates prescribed in those regulations. This information is
available at http://www.gsa.gov.

Trip
#

Trip destination, timing,
and justification for
requesting funds

Type of
expense

(airfare, car rental,
hotel, meals,
mileage, etc.)

Unit of
measure

(days, nights,
miles)

# of
units

Cost
per
unit

Travelers
claiming
expense

Funds
requested

(#)

Match value

$

$

$

$

$

$

Travel subtotals: $

$

1
2
3

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

☐ By checking this box, I affirm that my organization’s established travel policies will be adhered to when completing the above-mentioned trips
in accordance with 2 CFR 200.474 or 48 CFR subpart 31.2, as applicable.

Supplies

List the materials, supplies, and fabricated parts costing less than $5,000 per unit and describe how they will support the purpose and goal of the proposal.

Item description and justification for
requesting funds

Cost Per-unit

# of units/pieces
purchased

Acquire
when?

$

Funds
requested

Match value
$

$

$

$

$

Supplies subtotal: $

$

12

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

Contractual

The Contractual section includes contractual, consultant, and subaward agreements that are part of the completion of the project. A subaward is an award provided by the non –
federal entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a Federal award received by the non-federal entity. Contractual/consultant costs are expenses associated
with purchasing goods and/or procuring services performed by an individual or organization other than the applicant in the form of a procurement relationship. If there is more
than one contractor or consultant or subaward, each must be described separately.

Type
1
☐ Contract
☐ Subaward
2
☐ Contract
☐ Subaward
3
☐ Contract
☐ Subaward

Name/organization and justification for requesting
funds

Hourly /
flat rate

$

Funds
requested

Match value
$

$

$

$

$

Contractual subtotal: $

$

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

☐ By checking this box, I affirm that my organization followed the same policies and procedures used for procurements from non-federal
sources, which reflect applicable State and local laws and regulations and conform to the Federal laws and standards identified in 2 CFR
§200.317 through §200.327, as applicable. If the contractor(s)/consultant(s) is/are not already selected, I affirm that my organization will follow
the same requirements.

13

Other

Include any expenses not covered in any of the previous budget categories. Be sure to break down costs into cost/unit. Expenses in this section include, but are not limited to,
meetings and conferences, communications, rental expenses, advertisements, publication costs, and data collection.

Item Description and Justification
for Requesting Funds

Per-Unit Cost

# of Units/Pieces
Purchased

Acquire
When?

$

Funds
Requested

Match Value
$

$

$

$

$

Other subtotal: $

$

Match Type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

Indirect

Indirect costs (also known as “facilities and administrative costs”—defined at 2 CFR §200.1) represent the expenses of doing business that are not readily identified with a
particular grant, contract, or project function or activity, but are necessary for the general operation of the organization and the conduct of activities it performs. For the indirect
cost formula and additional information, refer to Section 4.2 of the RFA.

Indirect cost rate requested (%)

$

Funds requested

14

$

Match value

Match type
Cash: ☐
In-Kind: ☐

QUALIFYING FOR PRIORITY CONSIDERATION
Food Access Research Atlas (Atlas) http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas.aspx
Once you enter the Atlas, check one of the four the map layer(s) that applies to the proposal’s targeted community.

Zoom in on the map to identify your community. Clicking on your targeted area will produce the census tract
and additional information about the locale. In the example below, the dark green area qualifies as low income
and low access, and the census tract would be 35047957600.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
PAPERWORK BURDEN STATEMENT
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501), an agency may not conduct or sponsor,
and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control
number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0240.The time required to
complete this information collection is estimated to average 4 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information.

[Use Letterhead of Organization Providing the Match]
LETTER OF VERIFICATION FOR MATCHING FUNDS
[Application Authorized Organizational Representative]
[Applicant Organization Address]
Dear [Application Authorized Organizational Representative]:
We commit to providing the following matching funds to the [Current Year] [Grant Program] application: [Project title]
1. Cash in the total amount of $XXX, which we will provide during the grant period September 30, [insert year
begins] through September 29, [insert year project will terminate].
a. Funds will be used for [provide particular item(s) corresponding to the budget narrative or describe how
the applicant will otherwise use the funds].
b. We will provide the following amounts per year:
Year:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3*

Amount:
$
$
$

* Applicable depending on the program.

2. In-kind contributions in the total amount of $XXX, will be contributed as follows:
a. Salaries and wages of staff time for the following employees:
Employee Name

(add additional lines as
needed)

Title

Description of
Duties

Base Rate
($)/hr or %
FTE

Year 1:
# of Hours
or $
equivalent

Year 2:
# of Hours
or $
equivalent

Year 3*:
# of Hours
or $
equivalent

*Applicable depending on the program.

b. The following items/activities with a total fair market value of $XXX:
Item/Activity

(add additional lines as
needed)

Fair Market
Value per
Unit:
$
$
$
$

How Fair Market Value Determined
(must provide documentation):

* Applicable depending on the program.

Sincerely,
[Signature of Matching Organization Representative]
[Printed Name of Matching Organization Representative]
[Title]
[Email, address and phone number if not already included on letterhead.]

Amount
Donated
Year 1:
$
$
$
$

Amount
Donated
Year 2:
$
$
$
$

Amount
Donated
Year 3*:
$
$
$
$

[On Letterhead of Partnering Organization]
PARTNER ORGANIZATION LETTER
[Name of Authorized Organizational Representative /Applicant]
[Applicant Organization]
[City, State]
Dear [Project Director]:
[Optional short introduction describing partnering organization’s mission and how its applicable to the
proposed project.]
We commit to participating in and supporting the [Current Year] [Project Title], for the period of [include
dates of commitment within proposed project period] in the following way(s):
•
•

Person 1 will … (describe role: what the person will do, time commitment)
Person 2 will … (describe role: what the person will do, time commitment)

The individuals and our organization agree to abide by the management plan contained in the
application.
Sincerely,
[Signature of Partnering Organization’s Authorized Representative (AR)]
Printed Name of AR
AR’s Title (e.g., Executive Director)
Address and telephone number if that information is not already on the letterhead

[On Letterhead of Organization Providing the Critical Resource or Infrastructure]
EVIDENCE OF CRITICAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
[Name of Applicant’s Authorized Organization Representative/Project Director]
[Applicant Organization]
[City, State]
Date: [Enter date]
Dear [Applicant’s Project Director]:
We [include a statement about committing/approving/granting permission, etc. of the critical resource
or infrastructure] to the 20XX [LFPP/FMPP Project Title], for the time period of [include dates of
commitment within proposed project period] in the following way:
[Describe the approved use of the critical resource or infrastructure approved for the project, any costs
associated with its use, and any qualifying circumstances for its use.]

☐ By checking this box, I confirm that the critical resource(s) and infrastructure 1 listed above are in
place and usable for the start-up, implementation and completion of the proposed project activities. If
requested by AMS, I will submit supporting documentation (e.g. copy of lease agreement, licenses,
permits, picture(s) of facilities, etc.) as evidence.
Sincerely,
[Signature of Partnering Organization’s Authorized Representative (AR)]
Printed Name of AR
AR’s Title (e.g., Executive Director)
Address and telephone number if that information is not already on the letterhead

1
Critical resources and infrastructure can be facilities, land, structure, use of city street/parks, shared-used kitchen, and/or other resources
that are essential for the proposed project activities.