Revised 9.15.26

Virginia Produce Incentive Program (VPIP)

Notice of Grant Availability

Released September 15, 2026

Guidelines and Instructions

Proposal Deadline:

October 15, 2026

5:00 PM Eastern

Administered by the

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AND CONSUMER SERVICES

P. O. BOX 1163

Richmond, Virginia 23218

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Virginia Produce Incentive Program (VPIP) will provide grant funding to a charitable organization that will enhance the buying power of fresh fruits and vegetables for Supplemental

Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants.

* Doubled Buying Power: When SNAP/EBT funds are spent at a VPIP site, the program matches those dollars to give participants twice as much fresh Virginia grown produce.

*Participating Locations: The network includes local farmers markets, mobile markets, farm stores, and grocery stores.

*Community Benefits: The program helps low-income families afford healthy food, boosts sales for local farmers, and keeps food dollars inside the local economy.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has set forth the following guidelines to administer this program.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The awarded organization will be required to:

• Devise a plan to make fresh fruits and vegetables available at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other locations for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

(SNAP/EBT) participants. The plan must work in partnership with these locations to provide double the purchase of produce when purchasing with SNAP/EBT.

• Provide a description detailing how the organization will work with farmers and producers across the Commonwealth.

• Describe how the program will be marketed to potential customers.

AWARD INFORMATION

A maximum of $1,000,000 in grant funding will be awarded to one organization.

GRANT PERIOD DURATION

VDACS will award funds for a grant period of up to one year in length: November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2027.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

VDACS is seeking proposals from Virginia-based charitable organizations that meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Clearly demonstrate how the proposed project will benefit SNAP participants.

• Are legally registered and authorized to conduct business in Virginia.

• Are in good standing and compliant with all applicable state and federal requirements.

• Have been in operation for a minimum of three years.

• Demonstrate relevant experience related to the proposed project.

• Demonstrate the ability to source agricultural products from Virginia producers.

• Have no outstanding reporting or compliance issues associated with previous VDACS grant awards.

COMPETITIVE REVIEW PROCESS

VDACS will use a competitive review process to ensure maximum input and benefit. Review panel members will be free from conflicts of interest and conduct fair and impartial reviews. VDACS will notify grant applicants about the funding decision following the review process.

Proposals will be evaluated by the following criteria:

Project Purpose (35 points)

• The extent to which the applicant is able to develop a specific plan to work with farmers markets, mobile markets, farm stores and grocery stores to increase affordable access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

• The extent to which the project will provide a direct benefit to SNAP participants.

• The ability of the applicant to demonstrate large scale, statewide reach.

Measurable Outcomes (15 points)

• The objectives are precise, attainable, and meet the purpose of the grant program.

Project Plan (15 points)

• There is a clearly articulated timeline for project delivery and execution.

Budget (35 points)

• The extent to which the proposed budget provides a sufficient description for each category.

• The budget is consistent with the size and scope of the project and relates logically to the plan and objectives.

PROPOSALS AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

CONTENT AND FORM

Entities interested in applying for the Virginia Produce Incentive Program must submit the following components:

A. Cover Page

B. Project Narrative

C. Budget

A. COVER PAGE

Cover Page Must Include the following information:

I. Project Title

II. Project Lead (Primary Point of Contact)

a. Name & Title:

b. Organization:

c. Mailing Address:

d. Email:

e. Telephone:

III. Executive Summary (no more than one paragraph)

IV. Total Amount Requested

B. NARRATIVE

I. Project Purpose

Description of how funds will be used to manage the Virginia Produce Incentive Program.

Descriptions should include the following:

• Demonstrate that the applicant will develop a relationship with Virginia food vendors to operate the Virginia Produce Incentive Program

• The applicant’s ability to have large scale, statewide reach.

• Demonstrate how the applicant will utilize or develop adequate distribution sites to provide food for SNAP participants.

• Demonstrate how the applicant will utilize or develop a fair and equitable distribution network.

II. Expected Measurable Outcomes

Include a plan for how outcomes will be measured. Outcomes should include:

* Total amount of food purchased from farmers/producers (in pounds).

* Total number of SNAP participants served

* Total counties served

* Total value of VPIP incentives redeemed

Additional outcomes are welcome. Note that they must be precise, attainable, and meet the purpose of the grant program.

III. Project Plan

Provide a clear timeline for project execution and delivery.

Event Responsible Party Timeframe

Ex. Pumkin give-a-way Joe’s Farmstand Oct 15, 2026

C. BUDGET

Include a spreadsheet summary of all anticipated costs and expenditures.

Direct Project Costs:

Administrative Costs: (up to

10 percent of the total budget)

Personnel Costs

Fringe Costs Travel Costs

Supplies Costs

Contractual Costs

Admin Subtotal

Total of All:

Budget Narrative:

Include a detailed budget narrative, explaining all anticipated costs and expenditures.

The narrative should include the following:

Direct Project Costs

• These funds are what will be used to provide produce to program participants.

• Direct Project Costs include costs associated with food purchases.

Administrative Costs (May be up to 10 percent of the total budget)

• Personnel: List of all titles (number of hours and rate or pay) as well as the total funds requested for each employee.

• Travel: Break travel down by mileage, lodging, related tolls, and per diem. All travel must fall within the GSA regulations: https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates . Mileage will be reimbursed at the prevailing IRS rate. This travel refers to that incurred by the charitable organization.

• Supplies: List the materials, supplies, and fabricated parts costing less than $5,000 per unit and describe how they will support the purpose and goal of the proposal.

• Contractual: Contractual costs are those services carried out by an individual or organization, other than the applicant, in the form of a procurement relationship.

ALLOWABLE/UNALLOWABLE EXPENSES

Funds may only be used for allowable costs outlined in the Guidelines and Instructions

*See attached Appendix for allowable and unallowable expenses.

SUBMISSION DATE AND TIME

Applicants must submit proposals as one PDF to both:

Jose Millan at Jose.Millandiaz@vdacs.virginia.gov and

Keisha Williams at keisha.williams@vdacs.virginia.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, October 15, 2026.

*All attachments (proposals and letters of support) must be included in one PDF.

AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

AWARD NOTICES

Once VDACS has selected a grant recipient, all applicants will be notified of their grant status. Those selected for funding will receive a letter of agreement that sets forth pertinent information about the grant. Projects do not have to be initiated on the grant effective date but should be initiated as soon thereafter as practical so that project goals may be achieved within the funded project period.

ACCEPTANCE OF AN AWARD

A signature by an authorized representative of the successful applicant organization on the award letter constitutes acceptance of the award and its associated terms and conditions.

https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates mailto:Jose.Millandiaz@vdacs.virginia.gov mailto:keisha.williams@vdacs.virginia.gov

PAYMENTS

Payments will be made on a reimbursement-only basis. Reimbursements will be made on a monthly or quarterly basis, as warranted. Grantees must submit an invoice, reimbursement form, and detailed documentation of expenditures (individual receipts and proof of payment) to the

Program Manager. Reimbursements will be made within 30 days of receipt of proper documentation. Invoices received without the proper documentation may experience delays in payment until the proper documentation is received and any staff review questions resolved. The final invoice will be paid upon receipt of the final report.

7.0 AGENCY CONTACTS

Keisha Williams, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Email: keisha.williams@vdacs.virginia.gov

Jose Millan, Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Email: Jose.Millandiaz@vdacs.virginia.gov mailto:keisha.williams@vdacs.virginia.gov mailto:Jose.Millandiaz@vdacs.virginia.gov