How is “Local Food” defined for this grant?

For this grant, local is defined as from Wisconsin. The food must be grown, raised or processed in Wisconsin. If the item is processed, 90% of the ingredients must be grown or raised in Wisconsin.

Can processed local food products be sold into this program?  

Yes, minimally processed & shelf stable local food products can be purchased if they are locally produced and meet the USDA definition for “Minimally Processed Goods”. Within this definition, up to 10% of eligible ingredients can be not local, such as seasonings and 90% of the ingredients must be grown or raised in Wisconsin. 

Are some processed foods unallowable?

Yes, foods that are generally understood to be significantly processed or prepared are unallowable. Examples of unallowable products are ready to eat foods, which would include baked goods such as breads, muffins, or crackers; prepackaged sandwiches or meals; other prepared and/or pre-cooked items that come ready-to-eat or that require no further preparation beyond heating (e.g. chicken nuggets, fish sticks, pre-made pizzas, etc). Examples of allowable food products include fruits and vegetables (including 100% juices); grain products such as pastas and rice; meats (whole, pieces, or food items such as ground meats); meat alternates such as beans or legumes, and fluid milk and other dairy foods such as cheese and yogurt. Foods in a wide variety of minimal processing states (e.g., whole, cut, pureed, etc.) and/or forms (e.g., fresh, frozen, canned, dried, etc.) are also allowable.

How are food prices determined?

Farmers will provide a price list with the application letting the program know their asking prices.  Marbleseed will accept fair wholesale prices.  The intention of WI LFPA is to pay farmers a fair price for products and provide communities with nutrient dense culturally appropriate foods. WI LFPA will not underpay nor overpay producers for food products.

What licensing or other requirements are there for WI-LFPA program sellers of eggs, poultry, meat and value-added products?

• Egg producers are required to have a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP) food processing plant license to sell into the WI-LFPA  program. Assembly Bill Act 245 is not applicable as sales are not direct to consumers. 

• Meat producers who warehouse or sell their product post processing to the end-user are required to hold a WDATCP license. This is not applicable for producers whose finished product is picked up directly at the butcher by Food Hub or another aggregator. If a producer distributes the product from the processor to other parties, they need to register with WDATCP as a meat distributor. 

• Maple Syrup producers are required to have a WDATCP food processing plant license.

• Canned and other value-added items require a WDATCP food processing plant license. Wisconsin Act 101, commonly referred to as the Pickle Bill, is not applicable as sales are not direct to consumers at public events.

Please contact WDATCP Division of Food and Recreational Safety licensing staff for specific requirements for your business by emailing datcpfdslicensing@wisconsin.gov or calling 608-224-4923.

What is included in a price list, and can future actual prices deviate from the submitted price list?

Price list should include information on specific crops and minimally processed food products and projected price per quantity, along with the quantity available. If conditions in the market, weather or other factors require a price change, farmers will work with their assigned Marbleseed Specialist to make adjustments in either price or quantity available to WI LFPA.

How much food can be purchased from a single producer or processor?

Marbleseed anticipates producer contracts between $5,000.00 to $25,000.00.

Can seconds be purchased and distributed through this program? 

This program is designed to prepare producers to scale up production so that they can provide market quality products to hunger relief sites. Seconds can be perfectly safe, healthy, and nutritious produce that is “imperfect” or misshapen. For example, green peppers may have an extra lobe or cucumbers may have a bend in them that fall outside of Grade 1 standard. This program is not intended for farmers to get rid of their spoiled or damaged produce. Oftentimes, hunger relief sites receive seconds-quality donations and low-income patrons have become accustomed to receiving food that is of a lower quality standard. However, the intention of this program is that community members receive the same quality of food at a food pantry as they would if shopping at a local market.

Can food that was produced in 2023, for example: root vegetables, meat, honey be purchased?

As long as the food meets food quality and shelf-life standards, including that the food is not expired, spoiled, and absent of blemishes or bruises, products that have been produced in 2023 are eligible for sale into this program. Meat must be sold into the program within 8 months of the processing date.

As a farmer am I required to transport my products?  

The unique partnership established with the WI LFPA provides the benefit of on-farm pick-ups by the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative (WFHC) or one of their subcontracted businesses. Generally, this is how farm products are collected and distributed to the most food insecure communities in Wisconsin. However, the program can arrange for farmer transport if it meets transportation requirements. All farms must check in with WFHC regardless of whether they are hauling their own product, getting picked up by a food pantry, subcontractor, or WFHC.

What liability insurance is required?

Producers must maintain and carry commercial general liability insurance (including product liability coverage) in a sum no less than $1,000,000.00. Your current insurance company may be able to add on general liability insurance. Additionally, 2024 WI LFPA awardees will have the opportunity to sign up for a free annual Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) membership and members of WFU receive a 9% discount on Hastings Farm Mutal Insurance. Reach out to Forrest at WFU for more information. fhumphrey@wisconsinfarmersunion.com

How is the term “Historically Underserved” defined?

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) includes provisions that address the unique circumstances and concerns of socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers (“historically underserved producers”). Some groups of people are identified in Farm Bill legislation and in USDA policy as being Historically Underserved (HU). Members of these groups have been historically underserved by, or subject to discrimination in, Federal policies and programs. Four groups are defined by USDA as “Historically Underserved,” including farmers or ranchers who are: Beginning; Socially Disadvantaged; Veterans; and Limited Resource. https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/2022-07/farmersgov-historically-underserved-factsheet-07-20-2022.pdf

How is the term “Socially Disadvantaged” defined? 

Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher is a farmer or rancher who is a member of a Socially Disadvantaged Group. A Socially Disadvantaged Group is a group whose members have been subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and, where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12096

Can my farm work with schools and early care programs in my community?

WI LFPA funds cannot supplement other USDA funded nutrition programs; however, schools and early care programs can serve as a drop site for distribution to community members.

I’m a farmer, aggregator/distributor already participating in the WI-LFPA program, can I also apply for or be involved with a WI-LFPA Community Partner grant project?

Yes. A farmer can have an individual WI-LFPA contract with Marbleseed and also participate in a WI-LFPA Community Partner grant project. A farmer cannot get paid twice for the same product. Likewise, other supply chain partners can be subcontracted or be involved in other WI-LFPA efforts and still be a partner on an awarded WI-LFPA Community Partner grant project.

For more information about the national LFPA program visit:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/lfpacap/plus-faq