The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has distributed $3.4 million in Local Food System Infrastructure Grants to support local farmers, improve business efficiency, and expand consumer access to healthy and culturally relevant foods. The department received 276 applications requesting more than $16 million, which was over five times the available funding.
Laura Raymond, manager of the WSDA Regional Markets Program, said, “these grant projects tackle persistent infrastructure barriers faced by local producers that restrict their ability to sell to schools and other markets in their community. We look forward to continuing to support rural farm economies and ensuring a level playing field for our vital small farms and food businesses. Each one of the 276 applications represents an opportunity to do this.”
A total of 82 projects across 31 counties were selected for funding, with individual grants ranging from $13,019 to $75,000. These initiatives are designed to enhance food safety, increase processing efficiency, expand distribution capacity, and promote Washington-grown products.
Derek Sandison, Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, stated “These grant investments are ensuring food business entrepreneurs remain engines for innovation, growth and sustainability in Washington’s vibrant local food economy. The high demand for Regional Markets programs is a testament to the continued need for this scale of investment in our local food system.”
The Local Food System Infrastructure Grants are part of the Regional Markets Program under WSDA’s Focus on Food Initiative. This initiative aims to ensure safe and nutritious food is produced and distributed throughout Washington.
For more information about future grant opportunities or WSDA programs that serve agriculture statewide—including regulatory compliance oversight and international marketing—visit https://agr.wa.gov.
