The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has announced more than $380,000 in grant funding for Southwest Michigan projects aimed at improving access to locally grown foods through expanded refrigerated transportation infrastructure.
The funding is part of MDARD’s statewide Last Food Mile grant program, which supports transportation and distribution systems connecting Michigan farms with consumers, retailers, food pantries and community institutions. State officials say the program was created after repeated concerns from farmers and food organizations about distribution bottlenecks limiting access to local foods.
Three Southwest Michigan organizations were selected for grants.
Mick Klüg Farms in St. Joseph received $99,410 to retrofit a cargo van with refrigeration equipment. The farm said the project will help expand offerings in its Community Supported Agriculture program and strengthen partnerships with regional food distributors.
MI Dad’s Farm, LLC was awarded $101,000 to purchase a refrigerated vehicle intended to expand distribution of Michigan-grown foods to grocery stores, farmers markets, food pantries and other community organizations.
Meanwhile, South Michigan Food Bank received $81,000 for a refrigerated truck to increase deliveries of Michigan-grown produce throughout its eight-county service area.
In announcing the grants Thursday, MDARD Director Tim Boring said consumer demand for local foods continues to grow, but transportation systems have struggled to keep pace.
“MDARD’s Last Food Mile grants invest in refrigerated transportation that will safely and reliably move more Michigan-grown foods from farm to market to the family dinner table,” Boring said in a statement.
The state received more than 130 applications for the grant program and selected 21 projects statewide. According to MDARD, the funded projects will involve more than 300 Michigan food producers, with more than half using regenerative agriculture practices.
The grants are administered through MDARD’s Farm to Family Program, which focuses on expanding market opportunities for Michigan farmers while improving access to local foods for residents statewide.
