Tri-State Local Foods, Inc.

Tri-State Local Foods, Inc., also known as The Wild Ramp, is a non-profit organization operating a year-round farmers market in Huntington, West Virginia. Its mission is to support and grow a vibrant local food economy, promoting local farmers, food products, and artisan goods. The organization aims to increase revenues for regional agricultural producers and artisans while expanding access to nutritious local foods for the community.

Through federal grant awards, Tri-State Local Foods has implemented projects to enhance its operations and services. In 2021, the organization received a $581,395 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program. This funding enabled the development of an online ordering platform, including upgrading computer systems, point-of-sale software, website redevelopment, and renting space for housing and refrigerating online inventory. The project also supported revitalizing marketing strategies and expanding personnel to manage the online marketplace. Additionally, in 2019, Tri-State Local Foods received a $29,739 Project Grant from the Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service for a Rural Business Cooperative Rural Enterprise Grant. The organization also secured a $28,522 Project Grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission in 2023 for organizational capacity building. These grants have allowed Tri-State Local Foods to enhance its operations, increase farmer and artisan revenues, and expand access to local foods within the community.