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$52 million to grow organic and local food economies

The United States Department of Agriculture announced grants of $52 million to support local and regional food systems like farmers’ markets and food hubs and to spur research on organic farming on Monday.

$27 million is being awarded through the Ag Marketing Service (AMS) through the Local Food Marketing Promotion Program (LFPP) and the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP).  The money will be invested in marketing and promotion activities for local food enterprises and farmers markets.  AMS is also awarding $1 million in matching grants to state departments of agriculture and state colleges and universities for research to address challenges in marketing, transportation and distribution of U.S. agricultural products.

$19 million will be awarded through the Organic Research and Extension Initiative as grants to help producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards market their products.

$4.8 million with go to Community Food Projects to improve access for low income families and individuals.

Much of the funding was made possible through the 2014 Farm Bill.

 

USDA AMS Administrator Anne Alonzo explains the AMS grants.

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