Food Retail Improvement and Development Grant (FRIDG) Program

Food Retail Improvement and Development Grant (FRIDG) Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
Amount: US $5,000 - US $75,000
Last Updated: January 19, 2026

Summary

The Food Retail Improvement and Development Grant (FRIDG) Program by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture aims to enhance access to affordable, nutritious food in underserved communities. This program provides up to $50,000 in competitive grants for equipment purchases and facility improvements. Eligible projects include grocery stores and small food retailers, focusing on increasing the availability of culturally appropriate food. The initiative supports sustainable public-private partnerships to improve food access and consumption in low-income areas.

Overview

Background and Program Goals The Good Food Access Program (GFAP) was established to increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, for underserved communities in low-income and moderate-income areas. These goals will be accomplished by providing financial and technical support and supporting sustainable public-private projects to open, renovate, or expand the operations of grocery stores and small food retailers; expanding access to credit and reducing barriers to investment in underserved communities in low- and moderate-income areas; and to provide technical assistance, primarily for small food retailers with demonstrated need. The goal of the GFAP Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant is to increase sales of affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods to underserved communities, thereby increasing consumption of such foods by residents in the identified communities. The MDA is providing competitive grants to stimulate the sales of such foods to consumers by assisting grocery stores and small food retailers in making physical improvements and purchasing equipment. The GFAP Advisory Committee advises the Commissioner of Agriculture on managing the program, establishing program criteria, establishing project eligibility guidelines, establishing application processes and additional selection criteria, establishing annual monitoring and accountability mechanisms, facilitating leverage of additional public and private investments, and promoting the program statewide. The MDA drafted this RFP in cooperation with the GFAP Advisory Committee. Eligible Grant Projects and Expenses Retailer Equipment and Infrastructure Grants help grocery stores and small food retailers make physical improvements and purchase equipment to stimulate sales of nutritious and culturally appropriate foods. Eligible projects include the purchase and installation of equipment and the costs incurred to make physical improvements.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible projects will: Sustain or increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food (including produce) for underserved communities in low- and moderate-income areas. This does not include prepared or cooked food intended for immediate consumption. Be completed in three years or less. Be conducted in Minnesota. Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to: Retail display coolers and freezers Storage coolers and freezers Shelving Mobile food markets Permanent infrastructure at farmers' markets Architectural work Electrical work Building repairs or capital improvement projects Costs associated with the delivery and installation of equipment Processing equipment for foods not intended for immediate consumption, such as deli meat slicers, vegetable peelers/chopper/dicers, or scales (no more than $5,000) Signage that promotes the business accepting SNAP benefits

Ineligibility

Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to: Expenditures incurred prior to the full execution of the grant contract agreement or its start date, whichever occurs later, or those incurred after the grant contract agreement expires. Expenses paid for with cash. Gift cards or vouchers; gas cards; and other forms of pre-paid cards, vouchers, or compensation. General operating, overhead, or indirect costs (expenses of doing business that are not readily identified with the project. This includes inventory, staff time, etc. Donations and in-kind contributions, including property and services, made by the applicant (regardless of the recipient). Advertising (except signage that promotes the business accepting SNAP benefits), public relations, entertainment, alcohol, and amusement costs. Taxes, except sales tax on goods and services. Fines, penalties, and other settlement expenses resulting from failure of the applicant to follow federal, state, local, or Tribal nation laws and regulations, including parking and traffic violations. Fundraising. Lobbyists and political contributions. Expenses that have been or will be reimbursed under any federal, state, or local government funding or other grants (e.g., no "double dipping"). Service calls for general maintenance (contact us for prior approval of exceptions). Land or building purchases. Costs of goods or services for personal use of the employees, regardless of whether the cost is reported as taxable income to the employees. Transportation and travel expenses. Projects that focus on prepared/cooked foods (food trucks, cooked food carousels, restaurants, cafes, meal deliveries, smoothie/ice cream machines, etc.). Personnel costs (e.g., salary, wages, or fringe costs for the owner or employees of the organization). Construction or improvements made outside of the state of Minnesota.