MDARD awards Value Added & Regional Food Systems grants
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The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has awarded eight projects funds under the competitive Value Added and Regional Food System Grant Program.
“The awarded proposals reflect the opportunities within Michigan’s diverse food and agriculture industry to expand value-added food processing, food hub development and increase access to fresh and nutritious Michigan foods,” said MDARD Director Clover Adams. “These projects illustrate the critical role the food and agriculture sector plays in our state while strengthening Michigan’s impact in the global marketplace.”
The department received 51 proposals with requests totaling more than $8 million. Of those, MDARD awarded the following eight projects leveraging over $2.4 million in matching funds:
- Arbre Farms Corporation, of Walkerville – $210,000 Expand production to include year-round manufacturing by adding a new locally-grown potato processing line, substantially increasing their local workforce.
- Fair Food Network, of Ann Arbor – $249,000 Expand Double Up Food Bucks, Michigan’s statewide healthy food incentive program, in Flint to help families purchase more fruits and vegetables while simultaneously supporting Michigan’s farmers.
- Foremost Farms, of Baraboo, WI – $210,000 Conduct a feasibility assessment of potential site requirements for a dairy processing facility in Michigan.
- Michigan State University/Michigan Brewers Guild, of Chatham – $29,300 Conduct a supply chain and economic impact analysis of the Michigan craft beer industry focusing on the potential for utilization of local ingredients by Michigan breweries.
- Seeds and Spores Family Farm, LLC., of Marquette – $53,400 Establish a certified kitchen on their farm in Marquette for use by chefs, caterers and other farms to increase the use of UP grown food products.
- Shoreline Fruit, LLC., of Traverse City – $210,000 Enhance fresh pressed tart cherry juice process and expand to higher value-add products for a year-round operating line.
- Winery at Black Star Farms, LLC., of Suttons Bay – $210,000 Establish innovative Flash Détente red-wine processing equipment to be utilized by Michigan wine-grape growers and winemakers to improve the quality of red wines processed in Michigan.
- Wolverine Human Services, of Detroit – $155,000 Establish an apple orchard, community food gardens, a farm stand, education opportunities, and increasing healthy food access in Detroit’s Eastside.