The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has awarded $1.5 million in Regional Food System Infrastructure Grants to support regional food system infrastructure, supply chains and market access for farms, food processors, food distributors and meatpackers.
In total, WSDA funded 40 projects that strengthen connections along the region’s food supply chain, promote collaboration and create new market opportunities for farmers, ranchers and food business entrepreneurs.
In Grey Harbor, two projects for the marketplace were funded in this round.
2 Rivers Cattle Company in Brady will receive $43,635 to expand its meat storage capacity and serve as an aggregation point for the Southwest Washington Food Hub. The Gray Harbor Conservation District received $41,020 to obtain permits and purchase necessary equipment to operate and promote the Aberdeen Sunday Market.
No Pacific County projects were on the list of awardees in this funding round.
There were 337 applications submitted, totaling approximately $19 million, more than 10 times the amount of funding available.
Applicants include farmers, ranchers, food processors, food distributors and other small businesses and organizations that collect, process, manufacture, transport, store or sell food grown, caught or raised in Washington State.
“We continue to be inspired by how these grant projects are developing the capacity of our local food economies,” said Laura Raymond, WSDA Regional Markets Program Manager. “We truly wish we could fund more of these worthy efforts. Each proposal represents an opportunity to build a more vibrant, resilient local food system.”
Grant amounts range from $7,000 to $75,000. Grant recipients will use these grant funds to improve post-harvest infrastructure and market access in their local food systems through equipment, facility improvements, supply chain and market access alignment, food safety improvements, workforce development, and related operational costs.
“Small farm, ranch and food business entrepreneurs play a vital role in sustaining Washington state’s vibrant local food economy,” said Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison. “The high level of interest in the WSDA program underscores the need for continued business support, including technical assistance, publications, market access development and grant awards.”
Both Washington State and the Federal Government are creating new grant funding and providing technical assistance to meet the need for stronger local food systems infrastructure that can support local economies and foster healthy communities.
The Local Food System Infrastructure Grant and Local Meat and Poultry Assistance are Local Markets Program projects that contribute to WSDA’s Food Focus Initiative, ensuring safe, nutritious food is produced and distributed effectively throughout Washington state.
For information about upcoming grant opportunities, visit agr.wa.gov/grants
