The International Rescue Committee, Inc. (IRC) was awarded a $625,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (CFDA 10.175). The grant will fund the "New Roots Refugee Farmer and Consumer Market Expansion" project over a 3-year period from September 2024 to September 2027. The project aims to build direct-to-consumer marketing capacity for 30 beginning refugee and immigrant farmers, improve operations of Charlottesville's rapidly expanding farmers markets, and enhance food security among low-income, low-access consumers. Key activities include providing training and technical assistance to the farmers, stabilizing and expanding the local food economy, and conducting grassroots outreach to increase utilization of public benefits by low-income and low-access consumers. As a sub-recipient, the non-profit organization Market Central will assist in improving and sustaining the operations of the farmers markets that serve as critical direct-to-consumer marketing venues in Charlottesville.
Generated 3/18/25, 3:30 AM