Maine food and agriculture businesses can seek reimbursement for expenses they may have incurred while trying to address supply disruptions caused by the pandemic.
The funding comes from $10 million in federal CARES Act relief allocated to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
Businesses eligible for the funding include a variety of food-related enterprises, such as farms, food and beverage processors, packers and distributors and others. The idea is to fund any purchases and improvements that needed to be made during the pandemic in order to get food into the supply chain.
Maine DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal says she’s hopeful the funds will help lessen the unexpected financial impacts that COVID-19 has had on Maine’s farms and food producers.
Grants of up to $100,000 are available on a first come, first served basis. The deadline to apply is Dec. 18. The grant program will be administered through Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
