Press Releases
Maine Food Projects Awarded $3.5M in Federal Grants to Strengthen Local and Regional Food Systems, Pingree AnnouncesThe USDA awarded a total of $90.2 million in grants to 203 projects across the U.S. through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), which Pingree created in the 2018 Farm Bill
Washington,
November 29, 2021
Tags:
Food and Agriculture
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced federal funding for five Maine-based projects aimed at strengthening and exploring new market opportunities in Maine and New England’s agricultural food systems. The $3.5 million U.S. Department of Agriculture investment coming to Maine is through the Local Food Promotion Programs (LFPP) and the Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP), which are part of the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP). “Small and mid-sized farms are not only a key part of Maine’s agricultural heritage, but are also a major driver of our economy and help ensure we have a diverse, resilient food supply chain,” said Congresswoman Pingree, a longtime organic farmer who serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and the House Agriculture Committee. “As farmers cope with continued uncertainty brought on by the pandemic and consumers increasingly seek out locally-produced foods, federal support is more important than ever. I’m proud to have advocated for the program that made this investment possible now and for years to come so our agriculture markets can grow and thrive.” The grants coming to Maine include:
Congresswoman Pingree created the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) in the 2018 Farm Bill, based on her Local FARMS Act. Click here for a full list and detailed descriptions of the awarded grants.
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