Rep. Huffman Announces $220,000 in Federal Grants to Promote Local, Northern California Agriculture

October 09, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded grants to four entities in Huffman’s 2nd Congressional District, helping to support local agriculture throughout California’s North Coast. The Arcata Economic Development Corporation, Commercial Fishing Association of Bodega Bay, Food for People, and Yurok Tribe received the grants under the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) grant program, which provides federal funds to regional food enterprises to increase access to locally produced agricultural products and develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations.

“California’s North Coast is home to some of the best farms, fisheries, and ranches in the nation, and our region is a leader in the local food movement. These federal funds will be put to good use, improving access to local food and expanding markets for our ranchers, farmers, and local fishing businesses. The diversity in our awardees is a testament to the North Coast’s legacy of sustainable agriculture and sustainable seafood, and I look forward to supporting their continued efforts,” Huffman said.

USDA awarded a total of $11.9 million in Local Food Promotion Program grants to 160 marketing and promotion projects for intermediary local food enterprises such as food hubs, aggregation businesses, local food processors, and farm-to-institution activities. This program, begun in 2014, has funded 351 projects totaling $24.6 million to support local/regional supply chain activities including processing, aggregating, storing or distributing local and regional food.  Each LFPP grant requires a 25% match.

Further details:

Recipient: Arcata Economic Development Corporation
Arcata, CA
Specialty Processing for Local Meats: Feasibility Study and Business Plan
Award Amount: $25,000.00
Matching Amount: $8,519.00
Total Project Amount: $33,519.00
Project Type: Planning
This project will identify a viable operation for processing locally-grown livestock and poultry into high-value specialty meat products, localize the value chain and enable producers to increase sales revenue, expand consumer bases, and establish new markets.

Recipient: Commercial Fishing Association of Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay, CA
Matching Market Opportunity with Access: A New Sustainable Seafood Business Enterprise in Bodega Bay
Award Amount: $97,038.00
Matching Amount: $34,350.00
Total Project Amount: $131,388.00
Project Type: Implementation
This project will develop new locally- and regionally-focused seafood markets by sourcing, aggregating, storing, and processing locally-caught, sustainable seafood for consumers. Specifically, the project includes hiring staff and business consultants, administration and accounting activities, and equipment purchases.
Note: This May, Huffman wrote a letter to the USDA supporting Commercial Fishing Association of Bodega Bay’s grant request. That letter can be found HERE.

Recipient: Food for People
Eureka, CA
Business Feasibility for a Community Food Bank as a Shared Food Hub Facility
Award Amount: $25,000.00
Matching Amount: $11,138.00
Total Project Amount: $36,138.00
Project Type: Planning
This project will determine the feasibility of developing a combined food bank/food hub facility that would contain food storage, distribution and processing infrastructure.

Recipient: Yurok Tribe of the Yurok Indian Reservation, California
Klamath, CA
A Yurok Food System & Distribution Facility Market Study & Action Plan for the Yurok Indian Reservation.
Award Amount: $15,000.00
Matching Amount: $5,000.00
Total Project Amount: $20,000.00
Project Type: Planning
This project will analyze current food barriers, opportunities and market demand in relation to food production and distribution in the Yurok Reservation community. The study will examine the viability of value-added products at the Yurok Tribe’s processing facility.

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