WSDA Awards Millions For Local Farmers, Expanded Food Access

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has awarded $2.7 million in Local Food System Infrastructure Grants to strengthen markets for local farmers and expand access to healthy food.

The funding supports six large projects across five counties, with grants ranging from $250,000-$600,000.  Projects will improve food safety, boost processing efficiency, and expand distribution of Washington-grown products.  Awarded projects can be found in Spokane, Whatcom, King and Skagit counties.  Visit the WSDA's Website for a break down of all the awarded projects.

“Each of these investments will have positive ripple effects, improving farm and food business viability across Washington," said Laura Raymond, manager of the WSDA Regional Markets Program.  "There were many more impactful projects than we were able to fund, which confirms the continued need for this scale of investment in our local food system.”

"These large projects reduce significant infrastructure barriers faced by local producers that restrict their ability to sell to schools and other markets in their community," added Rianne Ham, Assistant Director of WSDA Farm and Food System Development Division.  "As farm and food businesses face significant headwinds it is more important than ever to support Washington’s vital farm communities.”

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