On Tuesday, May 5th, Kevin Concannon, USDA Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services (FNS), announced the availability of $3.3 million in funding for Farmers Market SNAP Support Grants. The program aims to support the ability of farmers markets to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as a form of payment. “We have seen […]
Local & Regional Food Systems
Briefing Spotlights Local Food, Farmer Livelihoods, Community Development, and Healthy Food Access
On Tuesday, May 5th, a Congressional briefing organized by the Food and Agriculture Policy Collaborative (FAPC)* highlighted federal programs to support local and regional food and farming, economic development, improved health outcomes, and access to good food. The briefing was part of a successful and growing partnership of FAPC members, linking federal policy with place-based outcomes and […]
Farm to School Advocates Visit D.C. to Speak Up for the Farm to School Act of 2015
This week, 24 farmers, school nutrition directors, extension agents, and tribal representatives from 17 states across the country descended on Capitol Hill…. Read More →
Whole Farm Revenue Protection Policy Reaches First Year Milestone
Early Data Shows Whole-Farm has Increased Sales in its First Year The last day to purchase a Whole Farm Revenue Insurance (WFRP) policy passed on March 15, and the first sales statistics for the new policy are beginning to become clear. To date, RMA has reported that 1046 WFRP policies were sold for the 2015 […]
The Farmer Perspective: Championing the Farm to School Act of 2015
“Farm to school is great for a community because it builds social capital around health and wellness and makes the connection between the farming community and local schools.” —Jason Grimm, Farmer, Iowa Valley Food Co-op (North English, IA) When most people think of the Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization (CNR), they think of children. However, federal […]
House Committee Hearing Highlights Farm to School
Guest blog post by the National Farm to School Network. The House Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing on Wednesday April 15 to discuss the importance of federal child nutrition programs as the Committee begins an effort to reauthorize these programs within the upcoming Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization (CNR). The current bill expires at […]
Upcoming: Organic Working Group Webinar
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic Working Group will be hosting a webinar on April 29 to showcase a variety of resources for farmers interested in organic. The webinar will take place at 1:00 pm eastern time. The webinar will feature presentations on the process to obtain an organic certification, organic labeling, and […]
FDA Clarifies Facility Rule Exemption for Direct-to-Consumer Sales
On April 8, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a proposed rule to amend food facility registration requirements under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This proposed rule includes a long-awaited clarification to the definition of “retail food establishment,” which has particular importance for farms that sell products through direct-to-consumer marketing platforms. One […]
$31 Million Awarded for Programs Assisting Fruit and Vegetable Purchases by SNAP Participants
Today in Orlando, Florida, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced $31.5 million in funding for the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program. FINI grants are awarded to organizations to advance incentive programs to improve the nutrition and health status of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households. Authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill, FINI is a joint effort […]
Agriculture Funding Debates Continue, Decisions Loom
This week and last, the House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees continued their examination of the Obama Administration’s budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2016. Food & Drug Administration On Thursday, March 12, Senate appropriators questioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about their increased budget request to support implementation of the Food Safety Modernization […]
Farm to School Resources Released Along with Plea to Participate in Farm to School Census
Farm to School programs not only help instill healthy eating habits and agricultural literacy in the next generation, but also support the local farming economy. Whether incorporating food products from local and regional farmers into school meals, providing lessons about agriculture and nutrition, or building school gardens full of vegetables, farm to school programs exist […]
Local Food and Farm to School Funding Available
USDA announced $96.8 million for four programs supporting specialty crop producers, local food entrepreneurs, and farm to school efforts…. Read More →
Upcoming Deadlines for Federal Farm and Food Grant Programs
NSAC has compiled a list of upcoming deadlines for federal grant applications and grant assistance workshops…. Read More →
Rural Community-based Research Receives $14 Million in Funding
Earlier this week, the USDA announced $14 million in funding towards research projects aimed at strengthening rural economies. The awards encompass a wide variety of issues affecting rural communities and small and medium-sized farms including food safety, conservation, marketplace economics, local food systems, and pollinator health. The funding comes from the Agricultural Economics and Rural Communities […]
Good News for Farmers and Kids: Farm to School Bill Introduced
Congress will consider the Farm to School Act as part of the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act…. Read More →
Release: Farm to School Act of 2015, Connecting Students to Local Food and Farms, Introduced in Congress
Feb. 25, 2015, Washington, D.C. – Today, members of Congress took the first step toward a major win for local economies, farm families and the health of our nation’s children. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Marcia Fudge (D-OH) introduced the bipartisan Farm to School Act of 2015 to […]
Healthy Food Access Project Funding For FY 2015 Available Through HHS
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a modified Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for fiscal year (FY) 2015, updated from last year’s announcement for Community Development Corporations (CDCs) under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI). HFFI is a tri-agency program administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, HHS, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to […]
Community Food Project Funding Now Available
Approximately $9 million will be available for this funding cycle. Applications are due 5:00pm EST on March 17, 2015…. Read More →
Got local food? A new report highlights trends
On Thursday, January 29, the Economic Research Service (ERS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the Trends in U.S. Local and Regional Food Systems: A Report to Congress. Written at the request of Congress as part of the FY 2014 agricultural appropriations bill, the report provides an overview and analysis of the growth, […]
Local Food Grant Application Assistance Workshops
Interested in applying for federal funding to develop, improve, or expand a farmers market, community supported agriculture (CSA), other direct-to-consumer marketing outlet, or a local and regional food enterprise like a food hub, distributor, aggregator, processor, wholesaler, or shared-use kitchen? Not sure how to get your application started or feeling stuck in the application process? […]
What Does the President’s 2016 Budget Mean for Sustainable Agriculture?
There are some positive signs in the budget request for sustainable food and agriculture priorities, but also some very major disappointments…. Read More →
New Year, New USDA Farm to School Webinars
Farm to school activities connect school children with healthy foods from local farmers. These efforts include bringing locally produced food into school cafeterias, integrating lessons in agriculture, food, and nutrition into the school day, and establishing school gardens. Farm to school also provides new economic opportunities for local farmers, ranchers, and fishers. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) supports […]
Institute of Medicine Releases Food Systems Framework
On Tuesday, January 13, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council published A Framework for Assessing Effects of the Food System to aid in food and agriculture decision making. Sponsored by the JPB Foundation, this report outlines guiding principles and practical steps for stakeholders to weigh the varying tradeoffs associated with the vastly […]
Top 14 of 2014: A Look at This Year’s Key Victories for Sustainable Food and Farming
As 2014 comes to a close, we thought we would take a moment to recognize and celebrate this year’s victories for sustainable food and farming. Among the successes? From new or restored farm bill programs that are up and running, important progress on our campaign priorities, hill visits and hearings, and the release of our […]