USDA announces LAMP grants

The Agriculture Department today announced it has awarded more than $26.8 million to grant projects through the Local Agriculture Market Program.

The program helps local and regional food entities develop, coordinate, and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and local food enterprises.

LAMP includes the Farmers Market Promotion Program, Local Food Promotion Program, and the Regional Food System Partnerships.

“Part of our efforts to put farmers first is to boost demand for locally grown food and connect our farmers to these growing regional markets. The Local Agriculture Market Program is an important part of USDA’s work to grow strong local and regional food systems,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in the announcement. “This funding is putting farmers first by helping them connect with new markets, strengthening their businesses, and boosting economic resilience in rural communities. At the same time, it gives families better access to fresh, locally grown food, making it easier for everyone to enjoy healthy meals while supporting the farmers who grow them.”

FMPP is awarding almost $11.1 million to 43 projects across 28 states and territories. The program funds projects that support producer-to-consumer markets such as farmers markets, roadside stands, agritourism activities, community-supported agriculture programs and online sales.

LFPP is awarding almost $11.1 million to 37 projects across 24 states and territories. The program supports local and regional food businesses that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer-to-consumer marketing. The awarded projects focus on activities such as supporting the processing, aggregation, distribution, and storage of local and regional food products; developing value-added products; and facilitating regional food chain coordination.

Through RFSP, about $4.7 million is being awarded to seven partnerships across 10 states. The program supports the development of relationships between local and regional food businesses and institutions, such as schools, hospitals, and governments, to increase local and regional foods in institutional cafeterias and meal programs.

Mike Lavender, policy director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, said in an email, “NSAC is relieved to welcome USDA’s release of LAMPs FY25 projects. LAMP — and the projects announced today — are foundational to the viability of countless farmers by supporting new direct-to-consumer marketing, as well as local and regional food markets. While this announcement comes months later than normal, we hope this sets the program on track to return to regular annual cadence beginning with a fiscal year 2026 request for application soon.”