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Author Archives: Honesta Romberger
Tell Your Legislators to Support Farmers Markets in 2018 Farm Bill
Honesta Romberger March 29, 2018Now is the time! As the senate begins writing their draft of the farm bill, we are learning through our contacts on Capitol Hill that legislators need to hear more from the farmers market community. Let’s get on it! Please take a few moments to call or email your Congressional Representative and Senators to…
Appropriations Bill Wins for Farmers Markets & Farm Bill Update
Honesta Romberger March 23, 2018by Ben Feldman, FMC Policy Specialist | ben@farmersmarketcoalition.org Appropriations On Thursday, the House passed a $1.3 trillion dollar spending bill for Fiscal Year 2018, which now needs to pass the Senate before Friday to avoid another government shutdown. Funding for key farmers market programs such as the Farmers Market Promotion Program, WIC and Senior Farmers…
Congress Shows Broad Support for WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Honesta Romberger March 22, 2018by Ben Feldman, FMC Policy Specialist | ben@farmersmarketcoalition.org Last week, 42 members of Congress, led by Congressman Adriano Espiallat, sent a letter of support for the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program to the House Agriculture Appropriations Committee. This statement of support is important following the release of the Presidential Budget Proposal last month, which proposed…
Guide to Applying for a Farmers Market Promotion Program Grant
Honesta Romberger March 20, 2018by Darlene Wolnik, FMC Senior Advisor | darlene@farmersmarketcoalition.org *Editor’s Note: this blog was originally posted on March 20, 2018. The information in this blog has been updated to reflect 2019 FMPP due dates, and other info relevant to the 2019 application process. Each year, FMC fields many calls from markets and vendors asking for advice…
Bill May Expand Alaska Food Hub Offerings
Honesta Romberger March 19, 2018Buying and selling local food online may become easier. A bill in the House would allow Alaskans to sell items with a low potential for food-borne illness without a permit online. It would also make other changes to support local food. [Keep reading]
Bill would provide grants to study, grow disease-tolerant tropical flora
Honesta Romberger March 16, 2018The State Assistance for Tropical Floriculture Research Act of 2018 would allow states to seek grants of at least $250,000 per year to research and develop disease-resistant varieties of tropical flowers. The bill was introduced Feb.16 and referred to the Committee on Agriculture. Keep reading: http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2018/03/01/hawaii-news/bill-would-provide-grants-to-study-grow-disease-tolerant-tropical-flora/
Hilo Cacao & Chocolate Festival – April 14, 2018
Honesta RombergerHilo Cacao & Chocolate Festival Presented by East Hawai‘i Cacao Association Saturday, April 14, 2018 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, 71 Banyan Dr, Hilo, Hawai‘i Island This event will showcase Hawai‘i’s cacao and chocolate industry. Activities include a chocolate tasting passport, chocolate-making demonstrations, cacao sapling giveaways, silent auction, vendors, educational booths,…
Commonwealth Kitchen Offers Value-Added Program for Farmers
Honesta Romberger March 12, 2018CommonWealth Kitchen is a collaborative community, providing shared kitchens combined with business assistance to help aspiring entrepreneurs build great food companies, create jobs, improve healthy food access, and strengthen our regional food economy. Learn more here: https://farmersmarketcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/CWK-Farmer-Value-Added-One-Pager.pdf
USDA Announces Funding for FMPP, LFPP, & SCBGP Grants
Honesta Romberger March 8, 2018Get the details in the full USDA press release below: March 7, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced nearly $89 million in available funding to support specialty crop growers, strengthen local and regional food systems, and explore new market opportunities for farmers and ranchers. USDA helps fund projects that…
Farmers Market Improvement Toolkit & “VegU-cation” Tips – USDA
Honesta Romberger March 7, 2018During the 2017 market season, the USDA Farmers Market tested “VegU-cation” and found that this fruit and vegetable education program was popular with their visitors and increased sales for their farmers. Visitors to the market attended a 10-minute demonstration class in the VegU tent, on how to grow, pick, and prepare that week’s featured fruit…
