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Despite federal funding loss, local foods proponents in Minnesota are upbeat

Relying on state backing, Minnesota kept Farm to School grants flowing, supporting 5 school districts with roughly $1 in support, discussed at a forum held in Morris on the University of Minnesota campus.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture ended funding a year ago and said it would not provide $17 million expected over three years, prompting local responses.
Regional networks like Renewing the Countryside connected five counties and contacted 13 food-service directors, with 11 'highly interested' and many producers willing to scale up.
Supporters want full funding, citing $1 in economic activity for every $1 spent, with an estimated $10 million needed to fund all schools, advocates say.
Organizers say transportation challenges in western Minnesota, price transparency and awareness issues remain, while 'Food Rx' pilots include local produce for medical patients, and Jason Bergstrand urged raising awareness.

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Despite federal funding loss, local foods proponents in Minnesota are upbeat

MORRIS, Minn. — Local foods proponents are remaining upbeat, despite last year's news of the loss of federal support. “We’re seeing some new momentum right now, and the people in this room have the potential to increase that,” Kate Seybold, from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, told an audience on Feb. 23 at the University of Minnesota-Morris campus. She was speaking as a panelist at the local foods forum, and responding to a question o…

8 days ago

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