Policy & Funding

USDA Announces Over $26.8 Million to Connect Farmers to Local Markets

By DishBloom Kitchen·June 30, 2026· Source: USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded more than $26.8 million in grants through its Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), spanning three sub-programs: the Farmers Market Promotion Program, the Local Food Promotion Program, and Regional Food System Partnerships. The funding supports everything from farmers markets and roadside stands to community-supported agriculture and food processing and distribution networks across dozens of states. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins framed the investment as a way to help farmers access new regional markets while giving American families better access to fresh, locally grown food. The grants also aim to strengthen institutional food pipelines, linking local farms to schools, hospitals, and government cafeterias.