Financing resources for cooperative businesses include grants, loans, guaranteed loans, revolving loan funds, equity capital, and crowd sourcing. Funding can come from Federal agencies, private-public partnerships, lending institutions, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), foundations, and other organizations. If your funding opportunity is not represented here, please contact us at CoopInfo@usda.gov.
USDA Food and Nutrition Service - Commodity Supplemental Food Program
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of low-income persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. USDA distributes both food and administrative funds to participating states and Indian Tribal Organizations to operate CSFP.
USDA Food and Nutrition Service - Foods in Schools Program
USDA Foods in Schools Program supports domestic nutrition programs and American agricultural producers through purchases of 100% American-grown and -produced foods for use by schools and institutions participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
USDA Food and Nutrition Service - National School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.
USDA Food and Nutrition Service - Retail Food Stores and Farmers Market Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Acceptance Benefits
Apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Retail Food Stores and Farmers Market SNAP acceptance benefits at this site.
USDA Food and Nutrition Service - Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is designed to provide low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs; increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities through farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community supported agricultural programs; and aid in the development of new and additional farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community support agricultural programs.
USDA Food and Nutrition Service - Summer Food Service Program
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program. SFSP reimburses program operators who serve free healthy meals and snacks to children and teens in low-income areas.
USDA Food and Nutrition Service - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.
USDA Food and Nutrition Service - WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children - https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/women-infants-and-children. Eligible WIC participants are issued FMNP coupons in addition to their regular WIC benefits. These coupons can be used to buy eligible foods from farmers, farmers' markets or roadside stands that have been approved by the state agency to accept FMNP coupons.
USDA Regional Food Business Centers Program
The USDA Regional Food Business Centers will provide financial assistance of up to $100,000 to support projects focused on the needs of producers in specific regions. They will act as regional hubs to coordinate across geographic area as well as providing technical assistance to assist producers in accessing local and regional supply chains.
USDA Rural Development - Broadband ReConnect Loan and Grant Program
USDA Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Loan and Grant Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas - https://www.usda.gov/reconnect. The entities considered eligible to apply for assistance under the ReConnect Program include: Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships, Cooperatives or mutual organizations, states or local governments, a territory or possession of the United States; and Tribal entities, see website and regulations for further details.