Source: USDA news release
Manchester, NH, – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is making investments that will create new and better markets for agricultural producers and food businesses in 19 states across rural America.
“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are standing up for America’s farmers and ranchers by expanding processing capacity, creating fairer markets, more revenue streams and market opportunities which help bring down food costs for families at the grocery store,” Secretary Vilsack said. “
We are partnering with entrepreneurs in rural areas to build brighter futures, connect business owners to new markets and create good jobs for generations to come. These investments reflect the goals of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to rebuild our economy from the bottom up and middle out and make our communities more resilient.”
USDA is making investments worth $320 million to strengthen food supply chains and create more opportunities for producers and entrepreneurs in 19 states: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. For example:
· In the Midwest, family-owned businesses, like a meat market and a bison processing facility, will expand their production capabilities, maintain the highest quality control possible and save jobs.
· In the Northeast, a local, innovative greenhouse facility will be able to grow salad greens year-round in a hydroponic environment.
· In the South, food supply chain businesses, like a berry processor, will purchase equipment to expand production capacity for their businesses.
· And in the West, a plant-based yogurt manufacturer and a cold storage facility will support resilience in the supply chain and expand sustainable options for consumers.
