USDA selects MSU Center for Regional Food Systems to create Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center

Contact:

• M. Jahi Johnson-Chappell, Director of Michigan State University's Center for Regional Food Systems; chappe17@msu.edu
• Colleen Matts, Director, Farm to Institution Programs, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, matts@msu.edu

East Lansing, MI, May 10, 2023 – Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems is one of twelve organizations selected as finalists by the US Department of Agriculture to create a Regional Food Center. These Centers will help more agricultural and food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state and local resources. In September 2022, USDA announced $400 million available to finance this initiative.

“USDA is excited to partner with CRFS on this innovative and unprecedented initiative,” said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “By leveraging the expertise now available through these Regional Food Centers, USDA can provide unique support for the development of local food systems across the country.”

Pending administrative review, USDA and CRFS will enter into a cooperative agreement to create the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center (GLM-RFBC). Over the next five years, CRFS will receive $20 million to launch and coordinate this center with key partners in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. This includes the Menominee Indian Tribe's Department of Agriculture and Food Systems that will provide tribal coordination throughout the region. Over $10 million will be distributed directly to technical assistance providers and eligible business owners. Small to medium-sized and historically marginalized food and farm business owners will be prioritized for business builder awards.

Key partners will serve as Network Coordinators for their respective geographic areas: Chicago Food Policy Action Council (IL), Northwest Indiana Food Council (IN), Food Finance Institute of the University of Wisconsin System (WI), and the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Food Systems. CRFS will also serve as the coordinator for Michigan.

“We are honored and delighted by this opportunity to provide a historic level of support to communities, organizations and businesses throughout the Midwest Lakes region,” said CRFS Director M. Jahi Johnson-Chappell. “We look forward to working with our valued and committed partners to bring these resources to those on the ground who know best what needs to be done to build strong and just food systems.”

Throughout this five-year project, GLM-RFBC will coordinate a regional network of technical assistance providers committed to the sustainable success of agricultural and food businesses. Technical support will include business mentoring, increasing profitability, accessing new markets and connecting with resources across the region. This will build the resilience of local and regional food systems with more thriving businesses owned by people from underserved communities.

“Diverse producers will have more opportunities to grow and thrive as part of this partnership,” said Rodger Cooley, Executive Director of the Chicago Food Policy Action Council. “We are excited to learn from our dedicated partners across the region while bringing much-needed funding and knowledge to under-resourced producers and other food system sectors in Illinois.”

At the national level, CRFS and the other selected organizations are already engaged with grassroots food organizations. These finalists reflect the diverse institutions, organizations and associations that must work together to achieve truly robust and distributed food systems.

“The partnerships and funding these Centers provide around supporting a more resilient, diverse and competitive food system will create great opportunities for food-focused businesses across Wisconsin,” he said. Deputy Director from Food Finance Institute of the University of Wisconsin System Sarah Larson. “We are excited to deepen this work with CRFS the management of the area forward'.

In total, USDA will establish 12 regional food business centers serving all regions of the country, including one center serving tribes nationwide. The Regional Food Hubs will target their work in communities that are historically underinvested in their region.

More information is available from the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Regional Food Business Centers. web page and up foodsystems.msu.edu

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The USDA touches the lives of all Americans every day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America's food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, creating new markets and income streams for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department, breaking down systemic barriers and creating a workforce more representative of America . To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

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Michigan State University's Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) brings together the knowledge of diverse food system stakeholders with that of MSU faculty and staff to advance local roots food systems through applied research, education and outreach. Our work promotes a thriving economy, equity and sustainability for Michigan, the nation and the planet by increasing understanding and engagement with systems that produce food that is healthy, green, fair and affordable. Learn more at http://foodsystems.msu.edu/.