CARES Grants Arrive for AERO’s Food Systems Programming

July 24, 2020

MT Food Providers Project, a joint project between AERO and MOA (Montana Organic Association) received a $10,000 CARES grant from the state. Together with an additional $10,000 raised by AERO through private foundation funding, MFPP is well positioned to continue moving forward on its dual mission of providing quality MT food to Montanans in need now and building the infrastructure for creating truly resilient, healthy food systems around the state long-term. Got resources to share and/or want to partner with us on the long-term vision? Reach out here.

AERO’s Abundant MT  is the only state-wide online directory and map effectively linking Montana food producers with consumers across multiple market channels, including: direct to consumer and retail sales. Listed vendors are producers, farmers markets, and MT food businesses, including processors, distributors, restaurants, retailers, institutional food services and food recovery (e.g., compost) businesses. Listings are searchable by location, agricultural product, sales type, listing category, payment means, and agricultural practices and/or certifications. Listings also link to the vendors’ website, social media accounts, and online store.

The $25,000 CARES Business Innovation grant allows AERO to:

• Expand Abundant MT’s reach to make more MT food known and accessible to more MT consumers (individual, retail and institutional) across the state
• Enhance the directory’s functionality, adding vendor and consumer-friendly features
• Include a real time open source exchange of food needs and assets to balance food access across the state, particularly to food-insecure populations (isolated communities e.g., nursing homes, tribal communities, frontier communities)
• Add CV-19 resources  so AB MT can be a go-to place for MT food customers and businesses to find  resources, supplies and education on “best practices” regarding sanitation, distancing and communication

Join or update your Abundant MT listing here.  Now’s the time! The Directory is free to vendors and if you are listed we’ll contact you for feedback as we improve the site.