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Delta State receives grant under the Farmers Market Promotion Program

By November 10, 2009General

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the awardees of the 2009 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP).

 
Reaching into communities across America, 86 grants totaling more than $4.5 million were awarded to encourage and support the viability of farmers markets and direct marketing projects nationwide.
 
The Center for Community and Economic Development at Delta State University is the receipt of one of the 2009 Farmers Market Promotion Program grants in the amount of $31,075.00. 
 
"Farmers markets have an important role in local and regional food systems by helping consumers have access to healthy, nutritious foods," said Vilsack. "These grants will help continue the recent expansion of farmers markets across the country to increase access to locally grown foods for consumers, and increase incomes for farmers." Through FMPP, USDA is committed to promoting local and regional food systems that help to boost local economics, eliminate child hunger, and increase access to fresh produce in low-income neighborhoods, thereby improving community health and nutrition.
 
The Cleveland Farmer’s Market grant will be utilized to: 1) promote the market; 2) develop a Sustainable Table in partnership between the market and Delta State’s Division of Family and Consumer Sciences to create a series of workshops that teach participants food processing skills such as pickling, canning, and the making of jellies and preserves; 3) develop a Greenhouse/Home Gardening (GHG) program between the market, Friends of the Environment and Cleveland Career Development and Technical Center to encourage area youth to participate in small-scale agriculture; 4) to develop a Neighborhood Chef to promote the Cleveland Farmers’ Market, educate local residents on the benefits of local produce, build community through food, and enhance the health and nutrition of local residents through the sharing of food skills and recipes. The grant will also provide for equipment and supplies needed by local farmers.
 
Michelle Johansen who works directly with the Cleveland Farmers Market said, "This grant will allow the Cleveland Farmers Market to build on the tremendous success of the last two summer market seasons. It’s humbling that our market, run entirely by a community of volunteers, supporters, customers, and local farmers, was selected from hundreds of other national applicants. I’m proud of the Cleveland Farmers Market’s work and can’t wait to get started on implementing the grant."
 
Eleanor Green, another volunteer with the market said, "The Cleveland Farmer’s Market is an important link between local farmers and consumers. The market is run fully by volunteers who donate their time and efforts to this important part of our community. We are all excited to expand our market and reach out to more customers through promotion and hands on education."
 
By successfully restoring the link between consumers and local producers there can be new income opportunities for farmers and generate wealth that will stay in rural communities; a greater focus on sustainable agricultural practices; and families can better access healthy, fresh, locally grown food. A national directory of farmers markets is available at www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets.
 
For more information about the program, contact the Center for Community and Economic Development at (662) 846-4358 or  Michelle Johansen at (662) 719-9595.