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News from the MN Dept. of Ag Produce Safety Program
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June 26, 2020
The latest on COVID-19
 New
Webinar for Farm Businesses Offering On-Site Food Consumption
Tuesday, June 30th, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Under Executive Order 20-74, Minnesota farmers' markets and farms may offer food and beverage for on-site consumption if state guidelines are met, including occupancy guidelines. If you choose to offer
on-site food consumption, this webinar will discuss what you need to know and share best practices for minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in agricultural settings. Presenters will be from MDA, Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and University
of Minnesota Extension.
Preparedness Plan Requirements & Templates
As per the Governor’s new Executive Order 20-74, farm businesses, farmers’ markets, and other agricultural businesses that were designated critical businesses must have a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
that complies with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) COVID-19 guidelines and OSHA standards by June 29.Businesses will not be required to submit
their plans to DLI but should be able to produce it if asked.
Two sample templates are available:
A
collection of Frequently Asked Questions about Preparedness Plans is available.
Two webinars were hosted on this topic this week; we will share out the recording in a future newsletter or you can keep an eye out for it on the
Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) COVID-19 resources site.
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$ Support to Address COVID-19 Impacts
MDA Grants and Cost Share Programs
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AGRI
Farm to School Rapid Response Grant for Food Vendors
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Safe
on the Farm Direct Marketing Cost Share Program
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New
Markets Cost Share Program
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Eligible applicants
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Food vendors that sell into institutional school wholesale markets
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Minnesota Grown license holders that are CSA farms, U-pick operations, or have on-farm markets
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Minnesota Grown license holders, or holders of select other MDA licenses
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Examples
of eligible expenses
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Expenses that make an immediate impact on your ability to make food sales to schools in MN. Includes but not limited to, equipment for food safety, along with food storage, packaging, processing, transportation.
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Equipment or supplies that will help you implement safety procedures and follow the
Guidance for Minnesota U-Pick Operations and On-Farm Markets (including at CSA drop-sites)
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Costs/investments made for E-commerce platforms since March 16, 2020. Includes but not limited to e-commerce sign-up fees and fees paid based on sales.
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$ allotted
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$1,000 - $5,000 per vendor. Requires a 1:1 match
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Up to $250 reimbursement per entity
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Up to $500 reimbursement per fiscal year
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Application deadline
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August 12, 2020, or until all funds are gone, whichever is first
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August 31, 2020, or until all funds are gone, whichever is first
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Rolling, by quarter. Next deadline July 31st (for March 16th – July 31st expenses)
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*NOTES* if you don't have a current Minnesota Grown license,
you can apply now ($20) to be eligible for the above cost share programs.
If you sell to schools, or have schools that you’d like to encourage to purchase locally, you can also let them know about the
AGRI Farm to School Rapid Response Grant for Schools.
Department of Employment & Economic Development Support
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Small
Business Relief Grants Program
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Eligible applicants
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Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees are eligible. See website for more details.
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Examples of
eligible expenses
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Payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and other similar business expenses dating back to March 1, 2020.
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$ allotted
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$10,000 grants. Grant awards will be selected through a computer-generated, randomized selection process.
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Application
deadline
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5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2020
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Contact Us
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Produce
Safety Program
651-539-3648
Got a newsletter suggestion? Email
Alexandra Cortes.
Funding for this publication was made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in written materials
or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organization imply endorsement by the United States
Government.
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