$27 Million Available to Support Local Food Producers
On January 11, USDA announced requests for applications for the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), and the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP), which offer $27 million in grants
to fund innovative projects designed to strengthen market opportunities
for local and regional food producers and businesses.
“These
grants will continue USDA’s support for the local food sector as an
important strategy for keeping wealth in rural communities,” said AMS
Administrator Elanor Starmer. “Entrepreneurs around the country are
creating jobs and new economic opportunities in response to growing
consumer demand for local food. AMS is excited to partner with local
food stakeholders to strengthen local economies and improve access to
fresh, healthy food for their communities.”
 Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program
The
FMPP provides funds for direct farmer-to-consumer marketing projects
such as farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs,
roadside stands, and agritourism. The LFPP supports projects focused on intermediary supply chain
activities, such as
aggregation, processing, storage, and distribution for local foods.
Farm to school
examples:
- In 2014 Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation received a LFPP
grant to expand a pilot Farm to Early Care Project in Central Brooklyn by
increasing access to farm fresh, healthy food for 1,500 children while
generating increased revenue for participating farmers.
- In
2015, using a LFPP grant, Pittsburg Unified School District in northern
California developed the Contra Costa County Nutrition Services Joint
Powers Agreement, allowing interested school districts to
collaboratively procure local food for their school meal programs.
- In
2016, Third Sector New England received a LFPP planning grant to
support six partnering food hubs increase their sales to nearby
institutional buyers (schools, hospitals, colleges).
Federal State Marketing Improvement Program
The
FSMIP provides about $1 million in matching funds to state departments
of agriculture, state colleges and universities, and other appropriate
state agencies to support research projects that address
challenges and opportunities in marketing, transporting, and
distributing U.S. agricultural products domestically and
internationally.
Farm to school
example:
- Using FSMIP funds, the Montana Department of Agriculture supported
expanded market opportunities for Montana farmers by determining the best
methods for processing and preparing fruits and vegetables to make them
available year-round to supply the state’s K-12 schools.
Applications for FSMIP, FMPP and LFPP are due on March 27, 2017.
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 FoodCorps Application Now Open
As a FoodCorps service member, you can help kids learn what healthy food is, fall in love with it, and eat it every day. FoodCorps
recruits talented leaders for a year of paid public service building
healthy school food environments in limited-resource communities. As a service member, you will:
-
Teach students hands
on lessons in growing, cooking and tasting healthy food;
-
Promote healthy eating
options in the cafeteria: and,
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Make schools healthier
places to eat, learn and grow.
Applications are due March 15th.
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Team Up Webinar - Grants for Financial Success
Thursday,
January, 26 2017 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET
The January
Team Up Thursday webinar will focus on grants as a way to achieve financial management success! Webinar participants will learn about
some of the grants available to help support school nutrition programs. We'll also share tips and trends from successful USDA Farm to School grantees!
By Hubert Hamer, Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service
According to recent data on local food marketing practices,
167,000 U.S. farms locally produced and sold food through direct
marketing practices, resulting in $8.7 billion in revenue. Pennsylvania
led the U.S. in the number of farms selling directly to consumers, with
more than 6,000 operations. California led in sales, earning $467
million. The survey also concluded that more than 80 percent of all
direct market food sales occurred within 100 miles of the farm.
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