Dear Virginia Fresh Match partner,

On behalf of Virginia Fresh Match (VFM), I’d like to invite you to apply for a mini-grant to support your outlet’s nutrition incentive program during the COVID-19 crisis. In March and April, VFM held weekly calls with the network to discuss the new challenges everyone is facing to operating their nutrition incentive programs. We heard about the unexpected expenses you have to bear to keep your programs running. On behalf of our partner outlets, VFM applied for and received a Nutrition Incentive Hub Innovation Award to support VFM partner outlets and help cover these new costs associated with COVID-19 operations. 
 
Please review the criteria below, to ensure that your outlet is eligible:   

To be eligible, the applicant must…
– Be a current partner with Virginia Fresh Match
– Apply on behalf of only one outlet (no network or organization-level applications will be considered)
– Have an active SNAP and VFM incentive program
– Intend to use the requested funding to cover…
– Non-incentive expenses only (can include materials, staff time, marketing and travel expenses, and other resources)
– Expenses incurred running their incentive program, between March 2020 and July 30th, 2020
– Be able to track all expenses via detailed receipts/records

VFM has a total of $10,000 to provide mini-grants to VFM partners. We anticipate being able to fund budgets that fall within the $250-$500 range and to serve between 20-40 VFM partner outlets.  We will consider sending out a second round of applications if needed. We will also allow applicants whose proposals were not accepted to reapply. 
The application lays out the reporting requirements (also attached). Please review them carefully before submitting an application. If your application is approved, we will contact you directly. Thank you for the work you are doing to provide healthy food access at this challenging time!
Sincerely,
Sam Hedges

Program Grant Manager
Local Environmental Agricultural Project (LEAP)
540.632.2295