Project Grant 15LFPPFL0102

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded Foodshed Cooperative Inc. a $564,500 Project Grant under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program. Foodshed will transition its emergency food distribution operations implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to a sustainable model increasing retail sales 25% annually. Funding will support planning with Foodshed's farmer network to achieve aggregation goals and improve distribution capacity at its Central San Diego...

The Central Illinois Farm-Fresh Enterprise Development Cooperative (FARMFED CO-OP) received a $239,565.60 Project Grant award from the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) to complete planning and establish operations. FARMFED CO-OP will connect rural producers in Central Illinois to institutional and retail buyers through processing and freezing local produce. Project outcomes will include a marketing...

The Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a $186,471.30 Project Grant to Hartford Food System, Inc. under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program. The grant will support Hartford Food System's planning of an aggregation-based Community Supported Agriculture share program in Hartford, Connecticut. The program aims to increase access to high-quality produce, fruits, vegetables, and meats for residents in underserved North Hartford by aggregating supplies...

Equiti Foods, LLC will use a $317,174 Project Grant from the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program to develop local and regional food systems in North Carolina. Equiti Foods will purchase excess and grade B produce from small farmers to produce frozen "Good Bowls" meals based on the Mediterranean diet. The company will partner with local commercial kitchens to produce the meals, creating economic...

The Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service awarded $500,100 under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program to Produce Box LLC. The three-year project grant will support Produce Box's efforts to develop a home delivery service for fresh fruits and vegetables from North Carolina farms to low-income families in food deserts. By expanding local food systems and increasing access to affordable, healthy options, this initiative addresses needs among both producers and...

The Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA) received a $192,816 Project Grant award from the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP). RAFI-USA will develop eight new Community Supported Agriculture partnerships between small-scale farmers from its Farmers of Color Network and North Carolina churches over two years. Each partnership will create a direct producer-to-consumer market...

Wholesome Harvest Co-Op (WHC) received a $942,962 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP). The grant will support WHC's efforts to regenerate and integrate economic and food systems in northern Appalachia through September 2024. As a consumer cooperative grocery store and commercial kitchen in rural western Maryland, WHC aims to build on accomplishments from a previous FMLFPP...

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded Prairieland Food Cooperative Inc. a $326,810 Project Grant under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP, CFDA 10.175). The grant will support Prairieland Market in expanding local food distribution and connecting local growers to consumers in Saline County, Kansas and surrounding north central counties through September 2024. Specifically, the organization will develop a comprehensive marketing plan,...

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a $656,204.57 Project Grant under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program to Sustainable Connections. The grant will support the creation of optimized online seller profiles for small and mid-sized farmers and ranchers in Washington State to be included in a new online wholesale search tool. This tool will be used by retail, restaurant, institutional, and other buyers to access local food. Sustainable Connections...

The Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service awarded $249,543 to Base 3 Farms PB LLC through the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) Project Grant. The two-year grant will support the development, coordination and expansion of local and regional food systems. As part of the Local Agriculture Market Program, FMLFPP aims to increase domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products through competitive grants. Base 3 Farms PB LLC...