Recently the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced  availability of nearly $5 million in funds for community-based food and agriculture projects through the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program.

The primary goals for the program are to:

• Meet the food needs of low-income individuals
• Increase the food self-reliance of low-income communities
• Promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues
• Meet specific state, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs.

Community Food Projects strengthen and unite the entire food system while increasing food security. Applications must be received by November 17, 2010.

Visit the NIFA Newsroom for details and to apply.

Food security is an increasingly important subject for many people for a variety of reasons. One national organization working hard to improve food security nationwide is The Community Food Security Coalition.

From their site:

“The Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3), North American organization dedicated to building strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems that ensure access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for all people at all times. We seek to develop self-reliance among all communities in obtaining their food and to create a system of growing, manufacturing, processing, making available, and selling food that is regionally based and grounded in the principles of justice, democracy, and sustainability.”

Their website is a great place to learn more about food security, what you can do to help your community become food secure, assistance in applying for Community Food Project (CFP) grants, and much more.

The National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has recently announced the opening of the Community Food Project Competitive Grants Program.

The primary goals of a Community Food Projects program are to:

• Meet the food needs of low-income individuals
• Increase the food self-reliance of low-income communities
• Promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues
• Meet specific state, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs, including needs relating to infrastructure improvement and development, planning for long-term solutions and the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.

Community Food Projects unite the entire food system, assessing strengths, establishing linkages, and creating systems that improve self-reliance over food needs. To find out more, and to apply please visit the NIFA Newsroom.

The USDA has just launched a website, “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food”. The main goal of the site is to create new economic opportunities by connecting local food producers and consumers. In addition the USDA wants to help people be more connected and aware of the importance of understanding where our food comes from and how it gets onto our plates.

How does the USDA hope to accomplish these goals?

• By building the infrastructure to support the growth and viability of small and mid-sized farms and ranches new opportunities will in turn strengthen local and regional food systems and the communities they serve.
• They want people to make smart decisions about what they eat. Communities filled with people making healthy decisions will further support and strengthen local communities.
• The USDA will work with interested food producers to lower their energy costs and improve their resource management as well as assisting to preserve farm and ranch lands.
• These goals will be met using programs and people to support this effort. An assortment of programs and grant funds are available to help make this vision a reality.

To find out more, please visit  www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer.