USDA Announces Grant Funding and New Resources Available for Local and Regional Food Systems Development
March 4, 2024 | Source: Farmers Market Coalition
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of approximately $26 million for the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) to help local and regional food entities develop, coordinate, and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets, and local food enterprises. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting applications for the grant program until May 14, 2024. Additionally, AMS has added to the suite of resources available to support communities and practitioners in local and regional food systems development.
“The Local Agriculture Market Program funnels funding directly to projects in local and regional food systems where farmers are able to retain more of the food system dollar allowing their communities to prosper.” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “This year, we are also offering new tools to help stakeholders navigate USDA programs for local and regional food systems, that also showcase the significant impacts of those investments.”