Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program, USDA

The Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) offers competitive matching grants for research and technical assistance projects, efforts that have supported U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm to School efforts. Grants have helped develop "local, value-added products that meet the nutritional and cost requirements of the National School Lunch Program and increase local protein options."

About $1.2 million is available for the 2012 program. Grants have ranged from $25,000 to $135,000, but typically average about $50,000.

Grants go to state agencies, and FSMIP encourages publicizing the opportunity with potential partners, such as producers and community-based organizations.