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USDA announces $1.7 billion in local food purchases 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making a major investment in local and regional foods.

Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small tells Brownfield nearly $2 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funds are being dedicated to emergency food assistance.

“This is going to help states purchase food for food banks and also for schools and for the first time ever, $200 million to help get local food into childcare centers,” she shares.

She says the program is helping better connect local communities to their local producers.

“It’s allowed farmers the opportunity to work together to create more consistent supply for example and invest in processing solutions to get the product to food banks and schools,” she explains.

Torres Small joined farmers and other ag leaders on an apple farm in West Michigan for the announcement Tuesday.

AUDIO: Xochitl Torres Small, USDA