This federal Project Grant award, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (CFDA 10.175), will support Farm Cart Organics (FCO), a food hub comprising small farms in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties in Southern California.
The $656,375.28 grant, awarded on September 30, 2024, will enable FCO to implement a strategic plan to gain new institutional partners, increase the number of school districts served through their current Ventura County School Food Hub Project, and develop value-added products. Key project activities include obtaining group-based GAP certification, developing marketing strategies, increasing crop deliveries, and exploring partnerships with universities, food-as-medicine programs, and correctional facilities. The project aims to strengthen the mid-tier value chain, expand access to local produce, and create stability for FCO and its farmer members.
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