Spread the word! Applications are officially being accepted for the 2023 cycle of our Fund Our Foodshed Grant Program.

About The Program
Now in its sixth year, the Fund Our Foodshed Grant Program is an annual giving initiative that our food co-op created in 2018 (1) to help rebuild our rural community by providing crucial support for local farming operations and (2) to further our mission of creating a thriving and healthy foodshed by supporting the growth of regional farming, food processing, and product development in the Chippewa Valley. Funded projects strengthen operational infrastructure, increase food production, or build sustainability into processes. The program is funded by shoppers through the round up of change at the registers as well as a donation from our co-op.

Applications will be evaluated by the 2023 Fund Our Foodshed Grant Committee made up of co-op board members, co-op staff, co-op owners, and previous grant winners. They will make selections based on a variety of criteria—most importantly, the potential positive impact on the agricultural economy of the Chippewa Valley.

Who’s Eligible
Eligible applicants for a grant include all farmers, producers, and processors who:
• Have businesses that are located within 100 miles of either Menomonie or Eau Claire stores
• Have been established in their current business for at least 12 months prior to applying
• Have not received over $1000 in grant funds, product, or in-kind donations from Menomonie Market Food Co-op during the prior 2 years

How To Apply
Farmers, producers, and processors who are eligible to apply for a Fund Our Foodshed Grant can do so by filling out the online application located on our website at mmfc.coop/fundourfoodshed or by filling out a print application and returning it to our store. If you plan to apply, please read through the grantee requirements and award criteria described in the document available on our website or in-store before doing so.

Grant proposals are due by April 7, 2023, and a funding decision will be made by the Menomonie Market Food Co-op Grant Committee by May 15, 2023. Similar to last year, the committee will be awarding three grants for up to $5,000 each. They will also aim to award two out of the three grants to current Menomonie Market Food Co-op suppliers and the third to a farmer, producer, or processor who is not currently a co-op supplier.

If you have questions about the Fund Our Foodshed Grant Program, contact me at becca@mmfc.coop or 715-231-3663, Ext. 223.

This article was originally published in the March/April 2023 issue of our bi-monthly newsletter, The Morsel. If you’d like to read more stories like this one and stay up to date on the latest co-op news and events, pick up a print copy in-store on your next grocery run or find more news on our website here.