Step 1 of 10

10%

1. Project Overview

1. c. Project Type:(Required)
A project overview is a summary of 3 sentences of less suitable for dissemination to the public. It should be a very brief description of your project, the expected deliverables/outcomes, and a description of the general tasks/activities to be completed during the project period.
If there are any partner organizations contributing to the project, please list them.

State the total project budget and the total amount requested from FSIG (remember this is at most 80% of the total project cost eligible under FSIG – see RFR Section 3C, Match Requirement):

Please enter a number from 10000 to 500000.

*Disclaimer: MDAR has the option to negotiate the requested amount before entering into a contract with the applicant. Any costs incurred prior to an executed contract with MDAR are not eligible for reimbursement from MDAR.

2. Applicant Information

2 a. Main Point of Contact:(Required)
2 c. Operation Legal Structure:(Required)

2 d. Mailing Address:(Required)
2 i. Site address is the same:(Required)
Site Address:(Required)
2 j. Have you received any of the MDAR grants listed below in the last 5 years? Check all that apply.

3. Operation Background/Context

3 a. Operation type: (select primary function)(Required)

3 b. Operation entity type:(Required)

3 c. What is your operation’s primary supply chain role?(Required)
3 h. Estimated food sales in 2025 (if applicable):
3 i. Estimated food purchases in 2025 (if applicable):
3 l. Is the site address for the proposed project leased?(Required)

Food Products

Food Products - Select all that apply(Required)

What is the current % breakdown between wholesale (sales to distributor, restaurants, stores) and retail sales (directly to customers) of your products:

Where are Products Sold: (check all that apply)(Required)

* What is the current breakdown of food products sold locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally:

3 n. For operations that primarily buy/source food products

What is the current breakdown of food products bought/sourced locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally:

3 o. I am a farmer as identified in MGL Chapter 128. Sec. 1A *(Required)

MGL Chapter 128. Sec. 1A (opens in new tab) 

3 p. I am a permitted Massachusetts commercial fisherman or seafood dealer:(Required)

Agricultural Operations Details Only

Is the majority of the applicant’s sales from their own agricultural products?(Required)
Type of Operation:(Required)

Acreage:

My operation has an Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR):(Required)
If yes, this project will be implemented on APR Restricted Land:(Required)
If yes, I have contacted the APR Program to determine if this proposal needs a Certificate of Approval (COA):(Required)
If yes, this project needs an approval from the APR Program:(Required)

Seafood Operations Details Only

4. Project Information

4 a. What stage of the food supply chain will the proposed project most directly impact? This refers to the specific project, not the entire operation.(Required)
4 b. What type of capital infrastructure is included in your project budget? Check all that apply.(Required)
4 c. I have applied to another grant program for costs associated with this project:(Required)

5. Project Need and Alignment

5 c. What goals that have been identified in Massachusetts Local Food Plan does your project align with? Check all that apply.

Massachusetts Local Food Plan (opens in new tab) 

6. Food Security Outcomes and Impacts

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review community-level data and research, which is referenced in Section 4E of the RFR. To receive full consideration, applicant should: reference relevant community-level data and research to document need; describe key characteristics of the population served (e.g., income, socioeconomic conditions, food access, English isolation); explain the geographic relationship between the community served and the project site; and describe how the project will reach the intended population(s) and provide evidence of that pathway (e.g., distribution plans, partner commitments, service area descriptions, procurement agreements, or program participation data). Applicants could also share if their organization or business itself will have any direct benefits for groups such as historically underserved farmers and/or ranchers and middle-of-the-supply chain small businesses owned by socially disadvantaged individuals (as defined by the Small Business Administration). Please provide information about any barriers you have faced accessing funding if applicable. 

historically underserved farmers and/or ranchers (opens in new tab) 

socially disadvantaged individuals (opens in new tab) 

ResilientMass (opens in new tab)

7. Feasbility Of The Project Plan

8. Sustainability and Maintenance

9. Previous Food Security Infrastructure Grant Funding

9 a. I have previously received an award from the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program:(Required)

10. Documentation

Make sure the budget includes the project total, match, and total funding request from the Food Security Infrastructure Grant There is a budget template provided in Attachment B of the RFR. Failure to provide a project budget will result in the application being ineligible.
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 50 MB.
    Applicants must submit two (2) quotes for each expenditure/line item in the budget that costs $50,000 or more. Applicants must submit one (1) quote for each expenditure/line item in the budget that costs less than $50,000. Quotes should be from qualified vendors or contractors and reflect accurate cost estimates. Failure to submit quotes will result in the application being ineligible.
    Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 50 MB.
      Eligible documentation may include (created or updated within the last three (3) years): Business plan or strategic plan, SWOT analysis, project feasibility study, market analysis, report identifying a gap within the food system. Project need or feasibility documentation is required for funding requests over $151,000. Project need or feasibility documentation is recommended for funding requests $150,000 or less. Applicants may submit up to three (3) documents.
      Drop files here or
      Max. file size: 50 MB.
        Eligible documentation may include: Letters of commitment or MOUs from partners demonstrating planned as specific food security impacts, demographic data for the clientele or service area, participant or beneficiary information, SNAP or nutrition incentive sales data, list of partners, project plan or other documentation demonstrating need or feasibility. Project benefit to underserved and under-resourced communities documentation is recommended for funding requests over $151,000. Project benefit to underserved or under-resourced communities documentation is optional for funding requests $150,000 or less. Applicants may submit up to three (3) documents.
        Drop files here or
        Max. file size: 50 MB.
          A letter of match must be signed by an authorized signatory, confirm the cash match amount, and identify the funding source(s) of the match. A letter of match is recommended for funding requests over $151,000. A letter of match is optional for funding requests $150,000 or less. $150,000 or less. Applicants may submit one (1) document.
          Drop files here or
          Max. file size: 50 MB.
            Letters of support are recommended for funding requests over $151,000. Letters of support are optional for funding requests $150,000 or less. Applicants may submit up to three (3) documents.
            Drop files here or
            Max. file size: 50 MB.

              11. Attestation:

              Consent(Required)
              Date(Required)