• Restaurants should sign up for the Fresh on the Menu program, https://freshonthemenu.com/, promise to promote certified South Carolina Grown products, provide evidence of supporting local (menu, social media, promotions) and sign up with the Small Business Development Center (There are no charges involved for these services).
• Restaurants and other food service participants will be eligible for a 25% reimbursement on their South Carolina grown items.  An overview of the category descriptions and examples of eligible products is provided in the next section of the application.
• There is a $1000 cap on each funding period.  Funding periods are created on the basis of current funding status.  Awardees will be notified of future funding availability and offered opportunities to continue in the program.
• Participants must complete a pre-program survey, post-program survey and be interviewed on the impact of the award on the business.  
• Eligible applicants for the grant program include:  South Carolina based foodservice businesses who currently purchase or desire to purchase and serve local food products in their establishment.  
• Eligible Products:  Any SC produced raw food products meant for human consumption.
• Program participants may make purchases directly from local farmers that are active Certified South Carolina Grown members and submit the invoices quarterly.
• All invoices must be legible and include the Vendor/Farmer’s Name, Date of Sale, Business Address, Item Description, Quantity, and Total Sale Amount.

• Vendors must be able to substantiate the level of direct farm impact and provide guidance on the processor and/or farms from which the products originated.
• Participants may purchase products through wholesalers, food hubs, and other third party suppliers with the requirement that the verification of the local farm is included.
• Requests for reimbursements are due on a quarterly basis and any purchases made prior to that reporting period will be ineligible for reimbursement consideration:

o 2022 Quarter 1 (January-March purchases) due by May 31, 2022.  Extensions on spending may be granted on a case by case basis.

• All invoices and reimbursement documentation submitted by the choose Local participant will be reviewed quarterly and determinations made by ACE staff on the appropriate payment to all parties.  Documentation can be submitted to acebasingrowers@gmail.com
• Products not further prepared by your business as part of your menu offering and simply offered for resale through your gift shop or storefront are not eligible for the program.
• Invoices for products purchased before Ace Basin Growers staff approve your application in the Choose Local program are not eligible for reimbursement.
• Applicants and awardees are encouraged to contact ACE for further clarity.