USDA provides more than US$445 million to support El Paso farmers

EL PASO – Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Adriana Clowe, Chief Operating Officer of Desert Spoon Food Hub, announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded US$445 million in support to increase El Pasoans’ access to local agricultural products and strengthen the regional food system.

According to Escobar, the funding was made possible by FY 2021 appropriations; while the resource will be distributed by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service through the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP).

“The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the importance of transforming our nation’s food system and the need to create more opportunities for El Paso families to have access to more nutritious and affordable locally sourced ingredients,” said the congresswoman.

For her part, Adriana Clowe, Chief Operating Officer of Desert Spoon Food Hub, said this was an opportunity to represent the region and local farmers.

“This grant will further our mission to build a more local and inclusive food system that provides greater representation and economic advancement for our farmers at a time when we have witnessed the many inequities in the food system,” Clowe commented.

During FY 2021, the LFPP awarded a total of US$75.4 million to 172 projects across the country, including the Desert Spoon Food Hub.

Importantly, LFPP funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand local and regional food enterprises that help increase access and availability of regionally produced agricultural products.

Source: MEXICO-NOW Staff