Title
Resolution Authorizing the City to Apply for a USDA Local Food Promotion Program Grant
Body
Department: Planning/Parks and Recreation
Council District: All
Public Hearing: NA
Advertising Date/By: NA
Contact 1 and Phone: Russ Clegg, 373-2211
Contact 2 and Phone: Hanna Cockburn, 574-3576
PURPOSE:
City Council approval is requested for a grant application to the US Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Promotion Program.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Greensboro is working with several community partners to apply for grant funds available from the US Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Promotion Program. Grant funds will be used to support shared-use kitchens and training programs geared to new, non-restaurant food businesses. This includes the preparation of baked goods, canned goods and other valued added food products for retail outlets.
The City’s program partners include:
• The County Agricultural Extension Office which has a shared use kitchen that is used for production space and training programs in safe-food handling for entrepreneurs and local farmers.
• The Greensboro’s Farmer’s Curb Market which is undergoing a kitchen and demonstration space upfit, which will be used for business training and production space. They will also provide access to a market and to local produce.
• Out of the Garden, a non-profit partner operating in the Folk Center that will provide production space, training and a pilot program to reach local communities with food-access issues.
These proposed investments address gaps in our food system as identified in the Fresh Food Access Plan, adopted by City Council in 2015 funded by the USDA LFPP program.
BUDGET IMPACT:
No financial match is required for this grant application. In-kind support will be provided through City staff. If awarded, grant funds will supplement City resources used at the Farmers Curb Market and the Folk Center.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Staff recommends approval of the resolution authorizing the City to apply for a USDA Local Food Promotion Program grant.
COMMITTEE ACTION: This item was referred to Council by the Infrastructure and Community Services Committee.