In June 2022, Secretary Vilsack announced details of a USDA framework to transform the food system. The framework, built on the lessons of the pandemic, represents a holistic and historic investment in strengthening food systems throughout the supply chain and across the country, including a strong focus on building markets for small- and mid-sized farms. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has long focused on supporting local food systems and growing direct-to-consumer markets through programs like the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and is now playing a central role implementing USDAs Food System Transformation Framework, including Regional Food Business Centers.
Tricia Kovacs, Deputy Administrator at AMS, will provide conference attendees with an overview of how the agency is combining traditional programs like FMPP with these historic new investments, programs, and services to help farmers markets expand their critical role in transforming local food systems.