Indiana Gets $12 Million From Department of Agriculture to Help People Get Local, Healthy Food
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STATEWIDE–The U.S. Department of Agriculture is sending out an additional $500 million for communities to purchase local foods that include fruits, vegetables, and more.
Jenny Lester Moffitt, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, says Indiana is getting more than $12 million.
“We spoke to two Indiana farmers who said that when they delivered the food to food banks, the recipients are walking up to the produce truck driver thanking them for that fresh produce,” said Moffitt.
Moffitt says this brings the total to approximately $1.5 billion in funding since 2022 for emergency food providers to purchase healthy and nutritious food from local and regional farmers.
“Consumers are not only getting locally grown food, they are also getting very healthy food that they may not have had before,” said Moffitt.
She says this has positive long-term effects in Indiana and other areas of the country.
“Farmers can reinvest in hiring more people, which of course creates more jobs. They’re reinvesting in things like their local hardware stores, equipment dealers, and all of the network that can really support the farm economy,” said Moffitt.
If you would like to find a food pantry with this food, you can dial 211 to find a pantry in your area.
You can hear the full interview with Moffitt below.
