USDA Awards Over $32.2 Million for Local Foods: 99 Projects Span Farmers Markets and Regional Supply Chains
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced on November 5 that it has awarded over $32.2 million to 99 grant projects through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), strengthening market opportunities for local and regional food businesses while expanding consumer access to healthy, locally grown food.
The funding flows through three LAMP programs. The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) is awarding $13.8 million to 45 projects across 26 states and territories, supporting producer-to-consumer channels such as farmers markets, roadside stands, agritourism, community-supported agriculture and online sales. The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) is awarding $13.8 million to 46 projects across 29 states and territories, supporting the businesses and organizations that process, distribute, store, market and sell local and regional food products, as well as value-added product development. The Regional Food System Partnerships program (RFSP) is awarding $4.6 million to eight partnerships across eight states, working to increase the use of locally and regionally produced foods in the cafeterias and meal programs of institutions such as schools, hospitals and government agencies.
“The Local Agriculture Market Program advances USDA's commitment to putting farmers first by helping producers develop new markets for their products, strengthen local and regional supply chains, and increase economic opportunities in agricultural communities across the country,” said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins. “By supporting innovative partnerships and market development projects, these investments help farmers grow their businesses, create jobs, and ensure that more food dollars stay in the communities where they are produced.”
LAMP and its accompanying grant programs are funded through the 2018 Farm Bill. AMS said the projects will support the development, coordination and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises, and value-added agricultural products.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Seattle 的 Ballard 农贸市场蔬菜摊位。本地农业市场计划资助的项目包括农贸市场等生产者直达消费者的渠道。Joe Mabel 摄，CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: A vegetable stall at the Ballard Farmers Market in Seattle. Projects funded under the Local Agriculture Market Program include farmers markets and other producer-to-consumer channels. By Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
