(12/4/14) ATLANTA--On behalf of the White House Rural Council, 6 federal agencies joined to declare 26 communities including Rocky Mount, North Carolina, has been selected to participate in Local Foods, Local Places, a federal initiative providing technical support to integrate local food systems into community economic action plans. Under this effort, a team of agricultural, transportation, environmental, public health and regional economic experts will work directly with the communities to develop specifically identified local food projects. Plan proposals include repurposing vacant land into local food production, developing year-round retail markets for local food products, and establishing food hubs to increase local food supply chains.
"The Local Foods, Local Places initiative illustrates that communities are thinking about creative ways to integrate local food in their community economic development plans," said USDA's Deputy Under Secretary Doug O'Brien. "The plans developed via Local Foods, Local Places will revitalize rural Main Streets and urban downtown areas, and create market opportunities for food producers and entrepreneurs."
"Our agencies are working together to make a visible difference in communities," said E.P.A. Acting Deputy Administrator Stan Meiburg. "By promoting farmers markets, community kitchens, and other efforts to increase access to healthy food, we are supporting local businesses in struggling downtown neighborhoods and preserving farms and undeveloped land. It's good for people's health, good for the economy, and good for the environment."
"The Local Foods, Local Places Initiative acknowledges the relationship between accessible transportation and the health and well-being of our communities. This collaboration provides local communities an opportunity to transform vacant spaces into vibrant spaces, which will provide better food options and better mobility for their residents," said U.S. DOT Undersecretary Peter Rogoff.
The Community of Rocky Mount will gain technical assistance to explore opportunities to establish a new farmers market in an economically challenged part of the city, and to develop urban community gardens on former brownfield sites and FEMA buyout lots and nearby affordable housing developments. A complete list of communities participating in the Local Foods, Local Places Initiative is accessible here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/lflp_community_list.pdf
ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl said, "Appalachian communities recognize the role food systems can play in downtown development and revitalization. Local Foods, Local Places will provide the technical resources to take ideas and put them into a plan. ARC is pleased to provide the backing that will support implementation of the projects developed by the 8 Appalachian communities."
Local Foods, Local Places is a partnership among USDA, EPA, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The initiative draws on the Administration's Partnership for Sustainable Communities, USDA's 7 Strategies for Economic Development and other place-based strategies to address regional challenges. The 26 Local Foods, Local Places communities were chosen from among 316 applicants. The initiative is jointly funded at $800,000. This amount, and the plans it will support, will make a significant impact in communities involved in the Local Foods, Local Places initiative.
U.S.D.A. Secretary Vilsack identified strengthening local food systems as one of the 4 pillars of USDA's commitment to rural economic development, along with production agriculture (including expanding export markets and improving research), promoting conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities, and growing the bio-based economy. Local Foods, Local Places is part of USDA's commitment to support local and regional food systems. USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative coordinates the Department's policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems.
About the White House Rural Council
To address challenges in Rural America, build on the administration's rural economic strategy, and enhance the implementation of that strategy, the president signed an executive order establishing the White House Rural Council. The council coordinates the administration's efforts in rural America by streamlining and improving the effectiveness of federal programs serving rural America; engage stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers, and local citizens, on issues and solutions in rural communities; and promoting and coordinating private-sector partnerships. The work of the White House Rural Council and U.S.D.A. to bring investment to rural America is an example of how the Administration is creating smart partnerships with the private sector to better support Americans in all parts of the country.
