This $771,530 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (CFDA 10.225) will enable the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition Inc., a non-profit organization, to implement the "Mingo County Food Forward Foursome: Sow to Store" project. The key components of the project are:
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Developing a food hub within the Facing Hunger Food Bank's warehouse to facilitate the aggregation, storage, and distribution of locally grown produce, providing storage capabilities and a sales channel for local farmers.
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Establishing a commercial processing kitchen to transform raw agricultural commodities into frozen and shelf-stable products, supporting the charitable food system and the production of medically tailored meals for vulnerable populations.
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Expanding the capacity of Blue Acre Aquaponics, a non-profit social enterprise, to increase the supply of fresh fish, greens, and strawberries for local markets and the food bank's distribution network.
The project aims to address food insecurity and promote sustainable agriculture in Mingo County, West Virginia, where economic disparities and geographic isolation present challenges to food access. The award period is September 15, 2024 to September 14, 2028.
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