This past fall the ARCD Council, in partnership with Jonesborough Locally Grown and Appalachian Sustainable Development, received $100,000 for the USDA’s Local Food Promotion Program to increase consumer understanding and demand of our local food systems in the NE TN and SW VA region. This new joint project has already introduced a “local food marketing task force”—bringing in an additional 15 advising partners, as well as created a project coordinator job position which was filled by Alexis Close on February 1.
The ARCD Council looks forward to continuing to promote and expand the local food economy with both our old and new friends and partners with the motivated assistance of our new program coordinator. Keep an eye out for updates, announcements, and events related to this funding!