The USDA has announced plans to award $34.3 million to support communities' local foods infrastructure and increase access to fruits and vegetables as part of a USDA-wide effort to support President Obama's commitment to strengthening local and regional food systems. These grants are administered by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service and Food and Nutrition Service.
AMS’s portion is the awarding of $11.9 million in Local Food Promotion Program grants to 160 marketing and promotion projects for intermediary local food enterprises such as food hubs, aggregation businesses, local food processors, and farm-to-institution activities, including Harvested Here Food Hub.
Of the nonprofit’s recent award, Harvested Here’s Director Ray Rollison said, “The Harvested Here Food Hub is extremely excited to steward these funds for the benefit of our local farmers, the businesses we supply, and Chattanooga area consumers. We look forward to continuing our role in Chattanooga’s fantastic local food community.”
With their funding, the Harvested Here Food Hub plans to: help local farmers attain GAP certification, increase the number of growers and buyers served by the food hub, implement a marketing and outreach campaign, and increase produce distribution.