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Obama Administration Selects 26 Communities to Develop Local Food Projects, Encourage
Economic Expansion Local Foods, Local Places Initiative encourages creative economic development in 26
communities in 19 states

WASHINGTON --

Today, on behalf of the White House Rural Council, six federal agencies joined to
announce 26 communities selected to participate in Local Foods, Local Please, a
federal initiative providing technical support, to integrate local food systems
into community economic action plans. Under this effort, a team of
agricultural, transportation, environmental, public health and regional
economic experts will work directly with the communities to develop specifically
identified local food projects. Project proposals include repurposing vacant
land into local food production, developing year-round retail markets for local
food products, and establishing food hubs to increase local food supply chains.

USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Affairs Doug O'Brien and Appalachian Regional Commission
(ARC) Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl made the announcement in Wheeling, W.Va.
Wheeling will receive Local Foods, Local Places support to transition the

historic and underused Vineyard Hill, into a productive regional hub for
diversified local food production and value added products. The officials
will also visit Youngstown, OH, which will receive Local Foods, Local Places
support to reclaim vacant property for local food production.

Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Christopher Masingill announced seven
communities in four states that will be receiving Local Foods, Local Places
technical support in the Delta region via conference call. Projects in
these communities will include efforts to create a local food network,
establish a regional food innovation center and develop job training efforts
around local food entrepreneurship. A complete list of communities
participating in the Local Foods, Local Places Initiative is available here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/lflp_community_list.pdf

"The Local Foods, Local Places initiative illustrates that communities are thinking about
creative ways to integrate local food in their community economic development
plans," said USDA's Deputy Under Secretary Doug O'Brien. "The projects
developed via Local Foods, Local Places will revitalize rural Main Streets and
urban downtown areas, and create market opportunities for food producers
and entrepreneurs."

"Our agencies are working together to make a visible difference in
communities," said EPA Deputy Administrator Stan Meiburg. "By
promoting farmers markets, community kitchens, and other efforts to increase
access to healthy food, we are supporting local businesses in struggling
downtown neighborhoods and preserving farms and undeveloped land. It's good for
people's health, good for the economy, and good for
the environment."

"The Local Foods, Local Places Initiative recognizes the relationship between available
transportation and the health and well-being of our communities. This
collaboration provides local communities an opportunity to transform vacant
spaces into vibrant spaces, which will provide better food options and better
mobility for their residents," said U.S. DOT Undersecretary Peter Rogoff.

ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl said, "Appalachian communities recognize the role food
systems can play in downtown development and revitalization. Local
Foods, Local Places will provide the technical resources to take ideas and put
them into a plan. ARC is pleased to provide the funding that
will support implementation of the plans developed by the eight Appalachian
communities."

"As a region historically centered on agriculture, it is important to strengthen and grow
the local food systems that have supported the Delta communities and this country
for centuries," said DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill. "The Delta
Regional Authority is proud to support this innovative program which is in an
investment into community health and economic growth for workers, businesses
and families in the Delta region."

Local Foods, Local Places is a partnership among USDA, EPA, U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the Delta
Regional Authority (DRA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). The initiative draws on the Administration's Partnership for
Sustainable Communities, USDA's Seven Strategies for
Economic Development and other place-based strategies to address regional challenges. The 26 Local
Foods, Local Places communities were chosen from among 316 applicants. The
initiative is jointly funded at $800,000. This amount, and the projects it will
support, will make a significant impact in communities involved in the Local
Foods, Local Places initiative.

USDA Secretary Vilsack identified strengthening local food systems as one of the
four pillars of USDA's commitment to rural economic development, along with
production agriculture (including expanding export markets and improving
research), promoting conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities, and
growing the biobased economy. Local Foods, Local Places is part of USDA's
commitment to support local and regional food systems. USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know
Your Food Initiative coordinates the Department's policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and
regional food systems.

More about the initiative: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/12/03/local-food-local-places-bringing-expertise-and-creative-thinking-community-economic-

About the White House Rural Council

To address challenges in Rural America, build on the administration's rural economic
strategy, and improve the implementation of that strategy, the president signed
an executive order establishing the White House Rural Council. The council
coordinates the administration's efforts in rural America by streamlining and
improving the effectiveness of federal programs serving rural America; engage
stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers, and local citizens, on issues and
solutions in rural communities; and promoting and coordinating private-sector
partnerships. The work of the White House Rural Council and USDA to bring
investment to rural America is an example of how the Administration is creating
smart partnerships with the private sector to better support Americans in all
parts of the country.

  

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