12 Grants to Local Food Production Projects – New River Valley News

Report on Virginia’s AFID Infrastructure Grants Supporting Local Food Production

Introduction

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the awarding of 12 infrastructure grants totaling over $497,000 to enhance local food production and agricultural facilities across Virginia. These grants are administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) under the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) fund. This initiative aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Program Overview

The AFID infrastructure grant program primarily provides reimbursable grants for capital projects related to:

• New and existing food hubs
• Farmers’ markets
• Commercial kitchens
• Value-added facilities for processing and packaging agricultural products such as meats, dairy, and produce

This program supports sustainable agricultural development, economic growth, and food security, directly contributing to the achievement of SDG 2 and SDG 8.

More information on the AFID Infrastructure Grant Program is available at: www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agriculture-afid-infrastructure-grants.shtml.

Grant Awardees and Project Summaries

1. Town of Pulaski – $50,000

   Funding will establish a permanent, open-air marketplace structure on Main Street for The Marketplace, Pulaski’s farmers market. This supports SDG 2 by enhancing local food systems and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through community infrastructure development.

2. City of Roanoke – $50,000

   Grant funds will be used to fabricate and install new awnings at the Historic Roanoke City Market, improving vendor capacity and market accessibility, contributing to SDG 8 and SDG 12.

3. Town of Tazewell – $28,244

   Supports construction of the Clinch River Pavilion, a new farmers market pavilion providing weather protection, enhancing local food access and community resilience (SDG 2, SDG 11).

4. Fluvanna County – $7,374

   Funding will purchase commercial kitchen equipment and install electrical infrastructure to expand the Fluvanna County Commercial Kitchen’s functionality, fostering small food business growth (SDG 8, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

5. Town of Crewe – $50,000

   Supports renovation and equipment buildout of a 6,000 sq. ft. commercial food hub to improve market access and food security in a food desert, directly addressing SDG 2 and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

6. Spotsylvania County – $50,000

   Funds construction of an abattoir and related facilities to create jobs and provide local meat products, supporting SDG 8 and SDG 12 by promoting sustainable local agriculture.

7. Town of New Market – $45,100

   Grant will renovate a vacant kitchen into a shared-use, certified commercial commissary kitchen, enhancing local food processing infrastructure (SDG 9, SDG 12).

8. Pulaski County – $19,540

   Supports Mountain View Farm’s expansion of on-farm meat processing capabilities to meet local demand for high-quality meats, promoting sustainable production (SDG 2, SDG 12).

9. City of Charlottesville – $50,000

   Funds purchase of packaging and distribution equipment for Beacon Kitchen’s new phase, facilitating value-added food production and distribution (SDG 8, SDG 12).

10. City of Winchester – $47,900

    Supports construction of a new commissary kitchen to assist local food entrepreneurs lacking commercial kitchen access, fostering economic development and food system resilience (SDG 8, SDG 9).

11. Shenandoah County – $50,000

    Funding will renovate space into a commercial kitchen in New Market, expanding vendor capacity and supporting local businesses such as Crazy Fox Coffee (SDG 8, SDG 11).

12. Cumberland County – $49,546

    Grant will purchase refrigerated cases for the new Cumberland County Grocery Store, which will feature locally grown products and create 15 jobs, supporting SDG 8, SDG 2, and SDG 12.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Enhancing local food production infrastructure improves food security and access to nutritious food.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Grants stimulate job creation and support small and mid-scale agricultural businesses.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – Investment in food hubs, commercial kitchens, and processing facilities fosters innovation and sustainable infrastructure.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Development of market spaces and community food hubs strengthens local economies and community resilience.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Supporting value-added agricultural processing promotes sustainable production and consumption patterns.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Projects targeting food deserts and underserved communities help reduce disparities in food access.

Conclusion

The awarded AFID infrastructure grants represent a strategic investment in Virginia’s agricultural economy and local food systems. By supporting infrastructure development, these grants contribute significantly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals, fostering sustainable agriculture, economic growth, and community well-being across the state.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article focuses on supporting local food production, improving food security, and eliminating hunger through infrastructure grants for agricultural projects.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The grants aim to spur economic development, create new jobs, and support small and mid-scale agricultural operations.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The funding supports infrastructure projects such as food hubs, commercial kitchens, and processing facilities.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – By supporting local food systems and value-added agricultural products, the projects promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, and entrepreneurship.
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Target 12.3: Halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Number and value of infrastructure grants awarded – The article specifies 12 grants totaling over $497,000, which can be tracked to measure investment in local food infrastructure.
2. Number of new or improved food hubs, farmers’ markets, and commercial kitchens – Projects include construction and renovation of market spaces and kitchens, indicating infrastructure development.
3. Job creation figures – Some projects mention job creation (e.g., Cumberland County hiring 15 people), which can be used to measure economic impact.
4. Increase in local food production and market access – Expansion of processing capabilities and market facilities implies improved productivity and access for small-scale producers.
5. Food security improvements in targeted communities – Projects addressing food deserts and hunger elimination imply improved access to nutritious food.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nrvnews.com