Posted: December 5, 2014
26 communities selected nationwide for Local Foods, Local Places Initiative
SAN FRANCISCO — Today, on behalf of the White House Rural Council, six federal agencies joined to announce 26 communities selected to participate in Local Foods, Local Places, a federal initiative providing technical support to integrate local food systems into community economic action plans. Over the next two years, the project will aim to increase access to locally grown, healthy fruits and vegetables for residents while boosting economic opportunity for farmers/producers in various areas.
The Youth Policy Institute in Los Angeles, Calif. will receive technical assistance to create a community-supported agriculture program that can improve the health of low-income residents by increasing access to local foods, boost economic opportunities for farmers and producers in the region, and help revitalize distressed neighborhoods.
Ajo, Ariz. will receive technical assistance to develop and implement an action plan promoting local foods and entrepreneurship in order to create an economically vibrant community.
The Churchill Economic Development Authority in Fallon, Nev.will receive technical assistance to create a local foods hub in an abandoned grocery store in the historic downtown.
Local Foods, Local Places is a partnership among EPA, USDA, Department of Transportation (DOT), ARC, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The initiative draws on the Administration’s Partnership for Sustainable Communities, USDA’s Seven Strategies for Economic Development and other place-based strategies to address regional challenges.
Under this effort, a team of agricultural, transportation, environmental, public health and regional economic experts will work directly with the communities to develop local food projects they proposed. The 26 Local Foods, Local Places communities were chosen from among 316 applicants. The initiative is jointly funded and will provide $800,000 in technical assistance to communities.
A complete list of communities participating in the Local Food, Local Places Initiative can be found on the White House Rural Council website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/lflp_community_list.pdf