The Project Grant award of $1,185,763 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (CFDA 10.177 - Regional Food System Partnerships) supports the "Strategic Coalition and Capacity Building to Create New Opportunities for NJ Farmers with the South Jersey Farmers, Equity, and Sustainability Team (FEAST) Project." Led by the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, the project focuses on strengthening local food system infrastructure in southern New Jersey to improve food security and expand economic opportunities, particularly for underserved communities. Key activities include developing 24 strategic partnerships to connect local producers with institutional consumers, creating 8 enhanced distribution systems to increase operational efficiency, and providing training to 20 stakeholders on food processing, distribution, and storage strategies. Additionally, the project will launch a dedicated website to increase visibility and market access for local producers. These efforts aim to establish a durable network of partnerships, develop improved distribution systems, and generate approximately $900,000 in non-federal funding through increased sales and grants.
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