WSDA Awards Grants To Strengthen Washington Food System

The Washington State Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that $3.4 million in Local Food System Infrastructure Grants had been awarded.

The Department of Ag says the goal of the funds is to unlock new sales channels for local farmers, lower costs for small businesses through efficiency improvements and increase consumer access to healthy, high-quality and culturally relevant foods.

Altogether, 276 applications were submitted, requesting over $16 million dollars in funds, which is more than five times the available funding

“These grant projects tackle persistent infrastructure barriers faced by local producers that restrict their ability to sell to schools and other markets in their community," said Laura Raymond, manager of the WSDA Regional Markets Program.  "We look forward to continuing to support rural farm economies and ensuring a level playing field for our vital small farms and food businesses.  Each one of the 276 applications represents an opportunity to do this.”

“These grant investments are ensuring food business entrepreneurs remain engines for innovation, growth and sustainability in Washington’s vibrant local food economy," said WSDA Director Derek Sandison.  "The high demand for Regional Markets programs is a testament to the continued need for this scale of investment in our local food system.”

WSDA awarded a total of 82 projects across 31 counties, with grant amounts ranging from $13,019 to $75,000.  The Department said these projects will enhance food safety, increase food processing efficiency, expand food distribution capacity and promote the availability of Washington grown, caught and raised foods.

Learn about future grant opportunities by visiting WSDA's Website.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com