Press Releases

Easton, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a $248,373 Farmers Market Promotion Program grant to the Nurture Nature Center to develop a robust, data-driven promotional campaign that seeks to engage the public in new ways.

“Growing our regional economy is one of my top priorities,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Co-Chair for the Jobs for America Task Force. “That is why I am a strong supporter of farmers’ markets. They have the potential to cultivate commerce between rural and urban areas and raise health outcomes by providing access to fresh, locally-grown produce.”

"This funding will provide an amazing opportunity for us to grow the local food economy in meaningful ways for farmers and consumers," said Allison Czapp, director of Buy Fresh Buy Local-Greater Lehigh Valley. "We are excited to share the stories behind our local farms and markets and to help more Lehigh Valley residents discover how easy and delicious it is to support local farmers. The project funded by this grant aims to keep more of our food dollars in the local economy, which will help build stronger -- and healthier -- communities and ensure that agriculture continues to thrive in our region."

BFBLGLV is working to build the Greater Lehigh Valley local food economy by educating consumers about the many benefits of choosing locally grown foods; promoting local food providers; improving fresh food access; facilitating local food purchases by wholesale buyers; providing research about our local food economy; and convening the Thriving Local Food System branch of the Food Policy Council. BFBLGLV is a program of the Nurture Nature Center, a 501(c)3 organization. BFBL chapters across the nation are coordinated by the Farmers Market Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to strengthening farmers markets across the United States so that they can serve as community assets while providing real income opportunities for farmers.

The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) administers programs, like the FMPP, that create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber, and specialty crops. The goal of the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) is to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets.