Senator Stabenow Announces Support for Northern Michigan Local Food Initiatives

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced $109,160 for Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan and the Village of Farwell to expand access to local foods. Goodwill will receive support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Local Food Promotion Program, which helps develop new opportunities for farmers to sell locally. Farwell will receive a grant from the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Farmers Market Support program to help expand access to healthy foods.

"When we grow things here and make things here, we create jobs here in Michigan," said Senator Stabenow. "Support like this makes it easier to buy Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables. We all know buying local is a win for our economy. It's also a win for Michigan agriculture and consumers and these grants will help make that process easier across Michigan."

Support for the Local Food Promotion Program was greatly expanded in the 2014 Farm Bill, which was authored by Senator Stabenow and signed into law by President Obama in Michigan last year. This grant program helps improve and expand community-supported agriculture programs, agri-tourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer marketing opportunities.

Project details below:

Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan in Traverse City will receive $20,000 to help create a meat-cutting training course for an existing underutilized slaughterhouse.

Village of Farwell will receive $89,160 through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Farmers Market Support Grant program to help expand access to healthy foods for people who often face difficulties accessing fresh, nutritious food.