Michigan farm grant program boosts sales, food access statewide

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development released its first-year report on the Food Hub and Farm Stop Grant, revealing that a $730,000 state investment generated nearly $3.4 million in local food sales. Of that total, $2.5 million went directly to farmers, while the program moved nearly half a million pounds of Michigan-grown food and brought 152 new farmers into the network.

The grant supports local food businesses by funding equipment purchases, refrigeration upgrades, and distribution improvements. Eaton Meats in Charlotte used a $50,000 Farm Stop grant to install new refrigeration, which owner Ryan Garn said allowed the business to transition from a farm to a brick-and-mortar location and move over 100,000 pounds of meat in its first year.

Grow Jackson also benefited from the Food Hub grant, receiving $46,000 for freezer equipment and installation costs. The department stated that this investment aims to improve market opportunities for farmers and address food insecurity in the Jackson area. Officials are not currently accepting new farmers into the program but hope to announce additional opportunities in the coming months.

Read the full story at wilx.com.