A new USDA program is aiming to better incorporate locally grown food into communities.
The Local Food, Local Places initiative will bring together five government agencies to allocate funds and resources to producers. Among them are the Delta Regional Authority and the Appalachian Regional Commission, two organizations in our listening area.
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the EPA are involved as well.
Speaking on behalf of Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl, ARC spokesman Louis Segesvary says one other objective of the plan is to energize rural commerce.
"Investments in local food systems can pay big dividends in creating a stronger economy and a healthier population," Segesvary said.
Applications are open to the public nationwide, and are due in July.
The USDA is expected to announce further information sometime this fall.
