A Regional Approach Creates Fairer Competition
Editor’s Note: This blog post is the third in a series taking a deeper look at how federal market opportunities support the success of efficient regional food systems. Part one details USDA’s recent supply chain infrastructure investments and how they have equipped regional processors and distributors. Part two describes the essential role that community partners and people play in connecting producers to markets.
As described in the first part of this series, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a framework and series of investments targeting regional supply chains to promote a more fair, competitive, and resilient food system. These investments focus on production, processing, aggregation/distribution, market opportunities, and consumer access.
Each year, USDA spends billions purchasing food for schools, food pantries, and community nutrition programs across rural and urban settings. The USDA’s purchases are sourced from American producers …