On November 23rd the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that 203 projects would collectively receive $90 million under either of the Local Agriculture Marketing Program, the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion program and the Regional Food System Partnerships.

The Farmers and Local Food Promotion Program will award $75 million to 172 projects in 41 states.  The purpose will be to develop and expand direct producer to consumer marketing and to encourage regional food business enterprises.  The program comprises the Farmer Market Promotion Program and the Local Food Promotion Program. 

The Regional Food System Partnerships will receive $14.8 million for 30 projects in 24 states to connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems.

In announcing the grants, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stated, “The grants under the Regional Food System Partnerships will help build a fairer, more transparent food system routed in local and regional production were businesses can compete fairly because a greater share of the profit will go to those growing, harvesting and preparing our food.”

While use of public funds for project to encourage production and distribution of food are justified, the USDA must insist on accountability and the return on public funds must be quantified.  $90 million is a considerable sum and accountability extending downwards from the Agricultural Marketing Service through to recipients should be a cornerstone of the Local Agriculture Marketing Program incorporated into the 2018 Farm Bill.