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Vilsack, Stabenow tour in eastern Michigan

The Detroit Eastern Market received a visit this week from U.S. Ag Secretary Vilsack and Senator Debbie Stabenow to highlight efforts to expand market access for producers.

The Eastern Market is one of eight award winners in Michigan to partner in USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program

Michigan Department of Education received more than $10 million through the program which is meant to increase sales and support for local and socially disadvantaged farmers while expanding local fresh produce to underserved communities.

Other awardees in Michigan include the Food Bank Council of Michigan, Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Flint Fresh Food Hub, Kalamazoo Valley Community College ValleyHUB, Mid-Michigan Community Action, Thumb Food Policy Council, and West Michigan Food Processing Association.

Officials also visited a USDA Summer Food Service Program site in Flint as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda tours.