USDA grant programs bolster local and regional food systems

More than $32.2 million in grants, supporting 99 projects, were awarded by the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service with the common goal of bolstering opportunities for local and regional food companies. The grant projects were distributed by the Local Agriculture Market Program’s Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and Local Food Promotion Programs (LFPP) as well as the Regional Food System Parnerships (RFSP).

FMPP will award 45 projects in 26 states and territories with $13.8 million in grant funding this year for projects supporting producer-to-consumer markets, including farmers markets, roadside stands and agritourism programs.

LFPP is awarding $13.8 million in 29 states and territories to increase farmers’ reach to customers through support of businesses that make up the region’s food supply chain. The development of value-added products is also a goal of the funding for those regions.

As part of RFSP, eight partnerships in eight states are being awarded $4.6 million to create a program for local and regional food companies to work with institutions, including schools and hospitals, ensuring more utilization of locally produced foods in cafeterias, meal programs and other foodservice institutes.