"This program is a great way for state agencies to tackle some of the distribution and market issues our farmers are facing," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "We hope to see many proposals that reflect USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative, projects that will help create wealth in rural communities through the development of local and regional food systems and value-added agriculture, and that develop direct marketing opportunities for producers or producer groups."
The FSMIP is a matching grant program administered by AMS, with funds allocated on the basis of one round of competition. USDA is particularly interested in proposals that involve collaboration among the states, academia, producers and other stakeholders and in proposals that have state, regional or national significance. Federal funds awarded to any project must be matched by non-federal funds or in-kind resources.
"Given the broad flexibility of this program there are endless possibilities for creative projects, such as increasing consumption of locally produced foods in hospitals or to exploring opportunities for sales of locally grown and processed products in school vending machines," said Edward Avalos, Under Secretary for USDA's Marketing and Regulatory Programs. "These funds are used to focus on barriers, challenges, and opportunities in marketing, transporting, and distributing food across the United States."
Source: USDA
