USDA announces $56m in grants for food projects and organic research

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $56m in grants to bolster local and regional food systems, and to support farmers' markets, and fund organic research.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said: “Since this Administration launched the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative in 2009 to coordinate USDA efforts to support local and regional food systems, there has been a dramatic increase in consumer demand for buying local.

“Over the years, we've seen how these new market opportunities are helping to drive job growth in agriculture, increase entrepreneurship in rural communities, and expand food access and choice.

“This latest round of grants will expand the capacity of farmers and businesses to serve this growing market, help revitalise local economies around the country, and support efforts around the country to provide fresh, healthy food to all Americans.”

The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program will receive $26m to support rural economies, increase market opportunities for farmers, and help close supply chain gaps in communities across the country.

Vilsack has granted $21.4m to the Organic Research and Extension Program to carry out 26 projects to help organic farmers and ranchers improve business operations and bring more organic food to the table of consumers.

Around $8.6m has been awarded for Community Food Projects, which will help to make healthy, nutritious foods available to people from low-income neighbourhoods.

An amount of $48.1m has been allocated for fiscal 2017 funding through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) to support systems-based research and extension activities that accelerate science-based solutions and new technology for the specialty crop industry.