March 11, 2026

$26.8M in USDA grants aims to strengthen farmers markets nationwide

Federal funding boost will support farmers markets, agritourism and local food distribution. See how the programs help grow sales.

< 1 minute read

USDA says it has awarded over $26.8 million in grants through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), funding projects aimed at expanding local and regional food markets and strengthening direct-to-consumer sales channels.

For farm market operators, the biggest share of funding comes through the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), which is distributing nearly $11.1 million to 43 projects across 28 states and territories. The program supports initiatives that expand producer-to-consumer outlets such as farmers markets, roadside stands, agritourism operations, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs and online sales platforms.

Additional LAMP funding includes nearly $11.1 million through the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) to strengthen local and regional food supply chains, and about $4.7 million through Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) to build partnerships that connect local producers with institutions like schools and hospitals.

USDA officials say the investments are intended to help growers and market operators expand sales opportunities while improving consumer access to fresh, locally grown foods. LAMP grants are administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and require a 25% cost-share from recipients.