The Agriculture Department tapped five grant programs to provide a total of $52 million to support local food systems and organic agriculture. Some $27 million came through a new program to build a local distribution chain for small farmers as well as a longstanding program to aid farmers markets and other direct farmer-to-consumer outlets. Food hubs, aggregators and local processors can be pieces of a regional food system. Small and medium-size producers often are at a disadvantage when potential customers want large volumes of goods.
As part of the $52 million, USDA also awarded $19 million for research and expert advice to aid organic producers. Special emphasis was given to management of disease, insects and weeds.
Separately, USDA announced $31.5 million was available for projects that test ways to encourage food stamp recipients to buy more fruits and vegetables. The projects would include incentives to recipients for purchases of produce.
USDA published a Federal Register notice of amendments, effective in 30 days, to the list of substances allowed in organic farming. The amendments add biodegradeable biobased mulch film to the allowed list. USDA said, due to public comments, it did not add two items that were proposed by the National Organic Standards Board. The items are curry leaves and Citrus hystrix, leaves and fruit. Citrus hystrix also is called makrut or kafir lime. Its pungent leaves are used in Thai and Indonesia cooking, says a UC-Riverside guide.