To: "nafex@lists.ibiblio.org" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [nafex] $78 Million Available for Local Food Enterprises
Date: Thu, 8 May 2014 18:45:09 +0000
[Header Press Release]
Release No. 0084.14
Contact:
Office of Communications (202)720-4623
USDA Announces $78 Million Available for Local Food Enterprises
Historic Investment Will Support Entire Local Food Supply Chain
WASHINGTON, May 8, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced
that USDA is making a historic $78 million investment in local and regional
food systems, including food hubs, farmers markets, aggregation and
processing facilities, distribution services, and other local food business
enterprises.
"The 2014 Farm Bill has given USDA new tools, resources and authority to
support the rural economy," Vilsack said. "Consumer demand for
locally-produced food is strong and growing, and farmers and ranchers are
positioning their businesses to meet that demand. As this sector continues to
mature, we see aggregation, processing, and distribution enterprises across
the local food supply chain growing rapidly. These historic USDA investments
in support of local food give farmers and ranchers more market opportunities,
provide consumers with more choices, and create jobs in both rural and urban
communities."
Rural Development's B&I program provides financial backing for rural business
development in partnership with private-sector lenders. It is one of several
USDA programs that help finance local foods projects. In 2013, Rural
Development supported more than 170 local food infrastructure projects - from
food hubs, to scale-appropriate processing facilities, to cold storage and
distribution networks. Entities eligible for B&I loan guarantees include
cooperatives, non-profit organizations, corporations, partnerships or other
legal entities, Indian tribes, public bodies or individuals.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of
discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil
Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800)
877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
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Barry Nichols
Senior Ecologist
Eco-Tech Consultants
11321 Decimal Drive
Louisville, KY 40299
502.259.0470 office | 502.259.0473 fax | 502.468.4539 mobile