Harvest to Market Grant

The Harvest to Market Grant is a funding opportunity through the Heartland Food Business Coalition designed to help food and farm businesses grow local and regional food systems.

The grant supports projects that help businesses:

• Expand into new markets
• Increase processing, aggregation, storage, or distribution capacity
• Improve packaging, marketing, or online sales
• Develop value-added products
• Strengthen regional food supply chains

Applicants may request between $5,000 and $25,000.

Approximately $1 million in total funding is available.

Applications are due: August 31, 2026 by 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Central Time

Mid November 2026.

Projects must be completed within 6 months of contract start date (December 2026). Extensions can be granted on a case by case basis.

No. Matching funds are NOT required.

Partially. This is a reimbursement-based grant program — expenses are paid by the grantee first and then reimbursed. Please review the full program instructions for details.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Retail food sales outlets
• Producers/farmers/ranchers
• Food/farm cooperatives
• Value-added processors
• Businesses involved in aggregation and distribution
• Food hubs
• Farmers markets
• Tribal food and farm enterprises
• Food and farm business enterprises, including school food service

Non-profits are NOT eligible to apply. The program is intended for food and farm enterprises serving local and regional food systems.

Applicant’s business address must be in the Patterson Family Foundation catchment area. See the map of eligible counties on this page.

Priority is given to projects that:

• Expand local and regional food systems
• Create or strengthen market access
• Increase value-added opportunities
• Improve business viability
• Support aggregation, storage, processing, or distribution
• Increase revenue for local food businesses
• Help small and mid-sized producers reach more customers
• Serve more than one food or farm business

The program especially values projects that strengthen regional food supply chains and create long-term economic opportunity.

Examples of allowable expenses may include:

• Building a website
• Setting up an online store
• Marketing expenses
• Feasibility studies
• Packaging
• Equipment
• Alterations of an existing building or facility
• Construction
• Costs related to personnel working on the project directly, such as wages and training
• Post-harvest processing, such as washing, cooling and packing
• Further meat processing (after slaughter and initial processing steps)

Grant funds may NOT be used for:

• Agricultural production (inputs such as seeds and feed — only post-harvest activities are fundable)
• Equipment not dedicated to the project or for general use
• Animal slaughter and initial meat processing steps of cutting, wrapping, and boxing
• Public education and training projects
• Community food security projects that do not involve development of the applicant’s food or farm business enterprise
• Acquisition of buildings or land
• Ongoing/overhead operating costs such as electricity or rent/lease
• Costs that have been or will be reimbursed by a third party
• Costs incurred prior to the date the grant agreement is executed
• Costs to support or oppose political campaigns
• Basic research and development, such as scientific studies
• Activities that depend upon the completion of another project or the receipt of other funding
• Projects with a proposed period of performance longer than 6 months

Yes. Eligible businesses generally must have:

• Fewer than 50 employees
• Less than $2 million in annual gross revenue

No.

Yes. Grant funds are generally considered taxable income. Applicants should consult a tax professional regarding their specific situation.

Yes, but reporting is relatively simple. Grantees will submit:

• Reimbursement documentation (receipts/invoices)
• Progress reporting
• Final reporting and survey information

Yes, for larger purchases. Typically:

• Purchases over $5,000 should include pricing documentation
• Larger purchases may require multiple competitive quotes

Applications are submitted online only. Use the Apply button at the top of this page.

This grant is a strong fit for businesses that are:

• Ready to grow
• Expanding processing or distribution
• Launching value-added products
• Increasing local sourcing
• Building regional food infrastructure
• Improving customer access to local food

Examples include refrigeration expansion, commercial kitchen equipment, delivery infrastructure, aggregation systems, branding and packaging improvements, and farm stop and food hub growth projects.