Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small and Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt today announced approximately $40.5 million for 60 grant projects through the Organic Market Development Grant program.
These projects will support the development of new and existing organic markets, support the infrastructure to improve processing capacity, explore emerging technologies to promote organic products, and purchase equipment to help meet the increasing demand for organic commodities, USDA said in a news release.
USDA added it anticipates the projects funded through this program will benefit more than 27,000 producers and over 31.8 million consumers by increasing organic market opportunities.
Torres Small and Moffitt made the announcement today at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif.
“Farmers who choose to grow organic often access new, more and better markets,” said Torres Small.
“At USDA, we are committed to making it easier for farmers who make that choice through programs like the Organic Market Development Grant Program, which supports farmers and increases access to fresh, healthy foods. Today’s announcement is just one of the many ways President Biden is investing in rural people and a more resilient food system.”
“This round of awards through the Organic Market Development Grant program will address critical needs within the nation’s growing organic industry – funding projects that further our goals of creating and expanding markets for producers,” said Moffitt.
“The program is a key component of USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative and will increase value added agricultural opportunities for organic producers in rural America.”
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