USDA announced the creation of 12 new regional food business centers. The Department says it will give producers access to more markets and link them to wholesalers and distributors. Ohio is one of the locations getting attention.
“This is a really big deal. It will connect farmers and small businesses with market opportunities. This investment will go directly to support local farmers and local food production, lifting up farmers and rural communities. That’s why this center coming out of USDA will be so important. It’s not some top-down directive; that’s not the way Secretary Vilsack operates. It’s recognizing our communities know best what they need. It’s about opportunity in all the places. Too often overlooked in Washington.,” said Senator Sherrod Brown.
In addition to these new centers, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $420 million for the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, which will fund projects that boost processing and distribution capacity.
.@USDA’s Regional Food Business Centers are central to our operations from strengthening supply chains to building on lessons learned during the pandemic. We’re creating new market opportunities in areas where the need is greatest. pic.twitter.com/L4uOnoB9bR
— Secretary Tom Vilsack (@SecVilsack) May 3, 2023
