Section 3. Farmers' Market Development Grant Program.
(a) Authorization.--The department is authorized to establish a program to award grants for the purpose of developing or expanding farmers' markets.
(b) Eligibility.--Eligible applicants shall be located within this Commonwealth and may include any of the following:
(1) Farmers.
(2) Nonprofit organizations.
(3) Businesses or associations that manage or operate
farmers' markets.
(4) Local government units.
(c) Usage of grants.--Grants may be used for any of the following:
(1) The cost of developing a business plan for a new
farmers' market.
(2) Predevelopment costs associated with opening a new
farmers' market, including site selection, demographic
research, farmer recruitment and sales potential analysis.
(3) Promotion of an existing farmers' market through
marketing materials, media outreach and advertising.
(4) Staffing costs to manage and operate a farmers'
market.
(5) The purchase of tables, stands and other display
materials for use in a farmers' market.
(6) The provision of nutrition education materials or
educational materials about Pennsylvania farm products to
program participants.
(7) The conduct of outreach to program participants to
increase participation in existing food assistance programs.