For Immediate Release
January 18, 2008
Contact:  Lisa Landis
Legislative Director
 llandis@pasen.gov
717-787-6709
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Deadline for New Farmers Market Grant Program Approaching

Investment to help increase access to local products

HARRISBURG – A new matching grant program available to farmers markets will ultimately improve availability of local products to consumers, Senator Brubaker said today.

The Farmers Market Development Matching Grant Program invests $75,000 in the management and operation of farmers markets. Applications will be accepted through February 6.

Brubaker, who serves as chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, said that access to affordable, nutritious food was a consistent theme brought forth in the statewide listening sessions held by the Committee in 2007.

"During the listening sessions, we heard from a number of local food groups about the relationship between healthy food and healthy communities," Brubaker said. "It is very important that we create a stronger connection between farms, the food they produce, and their customers – farmers markets are a critical link in that bridge by making locally grown foods readily available for purchase."

Brubaker also noted that increasing the number of farmers markets will give participants in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which distributes checks to eligible seniors and Women, Infants & Children (WIC) to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, more options for doing so.

Eligible farmers, nonprofit organizations, local government units and businesses or associations can apply for development and extension grants of up to $10,000. Each applicant must provide at least 10 percent of the grant amount in matching or in-kind services.

Grants may be used for the following eligible projects:

• The cost of developing a business plan for a new farmers market

• Predevelopment costs associated with opening a new farmers market, such as demographic research and farmer recruitment

• Promotion of existing farmers markets

• Staffing costs to manage and operate a farmers market

• The purchase of tables, stands and other display materials for use in a farmers market

• Educational materials about nutrition or Pennsylvania farm products

• Outreach to increase participation in existing food assistance programs

More information about the grant program and applications are available online at www.agriculture.state.pa.us by selecting the link for "Farmers Market Grant Development Program" under "What's New" or by calling 1-800-468-2433. Completed applications may be mailed to:

Geoffrey Dunaway, Director
Bureau of Food Distribution
Department of Agriculture
2301 N. Cameron Street, Room 401
Harrisburg, PA  17110-9408

"I have visited local farmers markets in Columbia, New Holland and Mount Joy, and I have seen firsthand what a valuable asset they are to their neighborhoods," Brubaker said. "I encourage all communities to consider this wonderful opportunity and take advantage of the benefits farmers markets have to offer."