Vilsack announces $52 million for local, regional, organic food systems
September 29, 2014 | 06:40 PM
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the award of more than $52 million in support of the organic industry and local and regional food systems through five USDA grant programs.
Vilsack made the announcement during an event with Virginia Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe and his wife, Dorothy McAuliffe, and local farmers at the Virginia State Fair.
“Local and regional food systems are one of the pillars of our efforts to revitalize rural economies,” Vilsack said. “Consumers are increasingly demanding more local and organic options.”
“Investing in local and regional food systems supports the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers, especially smaller operations, while strengthening economies in communities across the country. Today's announcements also improve access to fresh, healthy food for millions of Americans."
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service awarded more than $27 million in competitive grants to expand marketing through the new Local Food Marketing Promotion Program (LFPP) and the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP).
Through the Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), USDA is awarding more than $19 million in grants to help producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards grow and market high-quality organic agricultural products.
The Community Food Projects program, which provides basic food access for low-income families and individuals, awarded $4.8 million to 22 projects in 16 states.
AMS also awarded more than $1 million in matching Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) grants to state departments of agriculture and colleges and universities. Funds support research projects to address challenges and opportunities in marketing, transporting, and distributing U.S. agricultural products domestically and internationally.
FSMIP grants are funding 17 projects in 13 states.
▪ USDA Agricultural Marketing Service — Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP)
▪ — Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)
▪ — Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)
▪ USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture — Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI)
▪ — Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program
Vilsack made the announcement during an event with Virginia Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe and his wife, Dorothy McAuliffe, and local farmers at the Virginia State Fair.
“Local and regional food systems are one of the pillars of our efforts to revitalize rural economies,” Vilsack said. “Consumers are increasingly demanding more local and organic options.”
“Investing in local and regional food systems supports the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers, especially smaller operations, while strengthening economies in communities across the country. Today's announcements also improve access to fresh, healthy food for millions of Americans."
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service awarded more than $27 million in competitive grants to expand marketing through the new Local Food Marketing Promotion Program (LFPP) and the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP).
Through the Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), USDA is awarding more than $19 million in grants to help producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards grow and market high-quality organic agricultural products.
The Community Food Projects program, which provides basic food access for low-income families and individuals, awarded $4.8 million to 22 projects in 16 states.
AMS also awarded more than $1 million in matching Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) grants to state departments of agriculture and colleges and universities. Funds support research projects to address challenges and opportunities in marketing, transporting, and distributing U.S. agricultural products domestically and internationally.
FSMIP grants are funding 17 projects in 13 states.
▪ USDA Agricultural Marketing Service — Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP)
▪ — Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)
▪ — Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)
▪ USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture — Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI)
▪ — Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program
