Last Food Mile Grant

The Last Food Mile Grant is a targeted funding initiative developed under the Farm to Family program of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD). This one-time grant aims to improve transportation and distribution infrastructure in food value chains across Michigan. By supporting small and mid-sized producers, the program seeks to address the “last food mile”—the final step in the delivery of locally grown or produced foods to institutions, markets, and consumers. This grant reflects MDARD’s broader commitment to strengthening local food systems, especially by aiding regenerative agriculture and enhancing regional access to Michigan-grown foods. Eligible applicants must be Michigan-based farm businesses or food businesses/organizations that directly collaborate with Michigan farmers. The grant is specifically designed to support projects that increase the accessibility, volume, and diversity of Michigan-grown foods available to consumers, while also bolstering farmer revenue and regional partnerships. Projects must clearly articulate how they will meet measurable objectives such as increasing food volume, revenue to farmers, consumer reach, and market access, with an emphasis on incorporating regenerative practices where possible. Applicants are expected to establish or expand partnerships with other entities to address distribution challenges. Partnerships may include activities such as aggregation, cross-docking, shared-use of infrastructure, mentoring, and value-added processing. Strong preference is given to proposals that allocate at least 80% of the budget toward refrigerated vehicles, valued at $100,000 or less, and fully paid for with grant funds. Additionally, innovation in market development and serving underrepresented regions or groups will be favored during evaluation. The application window opens on December 16, 2025, and closes on February 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Applications must be submitted through the MiAgGrants online portal. All applicants must create or use a MiLogin account. Only one application per entity will be considered. The maximum award per grant is $100,000, and funds may not be used for salaries, benefits, or travel expenses. Eligible projects must be completed within one year, and administrative costs may not exceed 10% of the proposed budget. Following submission, the review period runs from February 9 to March 31, 2026, with anticipated grant announcements occurring between April and May 2026. Awardees will be required to register with the Vendor Self Service system and will need to report on outcomes for up to three years post-grant. Required reporting includes both narrative and financial documentation that reflects measurable progress toward the grant’s goals. For inquiries, applicants are encouraged to email [email protected] or schedule a meeting with the Farm to Family Team. Accessibility accommodations are available upon request. MDARD maintains a non-discrimination policy and provides multiple avenues for reporting or requesting assistance. This grant offers a critical opportunity for local food system stakeholders to invest in infrastructure that directly impacts food accessibility and farmer sustainability across Michigan.