Rep. Huffman Announces $220,000 in Federal Grants to Promote Local, Northern California Agriculture

Press Release

Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded grants to four entities in Huffman's 2nd Congressional District, helping to support local agriculture throughout California's North Coast. The Arcata Economic Development Corporation, Commercial Fishing Association of Bodega Bay, Food for People, and Yurok Tribe received the grants under the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) grant program, which provides federal funds to regional food enterprises to increase access to locally produced agricultural products and develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations.

"California's North Coast is home to some of the best farms, fisheries, and ranches in the nation, and our region is a leader in the local food movement. These federal funds will be put to good use, improving access to local food and expanding markets for our ranchers, farmers, and local fishing businesses. The diversity in our awardees is a testament to the North Coast's legacy of sustainable agriculture and sustainable seafood, and I look forward to supporting their continued efforts," Huffman said.

USDA awarded a total 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. This program, begun in 2014, has funded 351 projects totaling $24.6 million to support local/regional supply chain activities including processing, aggregating, storing or distributing local and regional food. Each LFPP grant requires a 25% match.

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