A West Michigan-based organization has received a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to help build the local food economy. The $500,000 grant was awarded to the West Michigan Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, which is hosted by the Grand Valley State University.
The West Michigan SARE program aims to increase the sustainability and profitability of small farms by providing research and education opportunities, as well as by funding innovative projects. With the grant, the program will launch the West Michigan Food Hub, which will be a centralized location for local farmers to sell their products directly to consumers, restaurants, and other food businesses.
The hub will also provide cold storage, packaging, and distribution services to farmers, reducing the need for individual farmers to have their own storage and transportation infrastructure.
The West Michigan Food Hub is expected to benefit both small farmers and consumers by creating a more efficient and sustainable local food system. The grant is part of the USDA's efforts to support local food economies across the country.
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