National Recreation and Park Association awarded a 2018 FMPP grant
Posted On: September 26, 2018
Congratulations to the National Recreation and Park Association in Ashburn, VA, a recipient of a 2018 USDA FMPP grant!
Recipient: National Recreation and Park Association, Ashburn, VA
Project Type: Capacity Building
Strengthening the Capacity of Local Parks and Recreation to Promote Access to Farmers Markets
As trusted public spaces located in nearly every community across the United States, local park and recreation (P&R) agencies are optimal settings for farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs, and strategic initiatives to increase food access. However, limited knowledge and capacity are significant barriers to establishing and operating successful producer-to-consumer markets or programs in P&R, especially in rural and/or underserved communities. This program will promote local P&R agencies as a venue for farmers markets and community-supported agriculture programs nationwide. National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) will provide targeted training and technical assistance (TA) to Tunica County P&R and Arkansas City P&R to expand and evaluate program models. NRPA will offer capacity building assistance to the entire P&R field through webinars, micro-learning opportunities and the development and dissemination of a P&R/farmers market best practices guide and digital-storytelling
journal. Expected outcomes include 1) increased consumption of and access to locally and
regionally produced agricultural products; 2) increased number of farmers market consumers and
increased sales of local and regional agricultural products; 3) development of new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets, including farmers markets and community supported agriculture programs in P&R sites; and 4) increased capacity of P&R agencies to establish, improve, and/or expand farmers markets nationwide.
