USDA Awards $26.8 Million Through Local Agriculture Market Program

USDA announced that it has awarded over $26.8 million to grant projects through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP). LAMP includes the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), and the Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP). FMPP is awarding almost $11.1 million for projects that support producer-to-consumer markets such as farmers markets, roadside stands, agritourism activities, community-supported agriculture programs, and online sales. LFPP is awarding almost $11.1 million to support local and regional food businesses that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer-to-consumer marketing. The awarded projects focus on supporting the processing, aggregation, distribution, and storage of local and regional food products; developing value-added products; and facilitating regional food chain coordination. Through RFSP, about $4.7 million is being awarded to seven partnerships that support the development of relationships between local and regional food businesses and institutions, such as schools, hospitals, and governments, to increase local and regional foods in institutional cafeterias and meal programs. Complete lists of funded projects are available online.