Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
On June 4, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), announced the selection of six communities to receive technical assistance through the Local Foods, Local Places program. This initiative aims to develop local food systems to enhance environmental protection, bolster local economies, and further sustainability goals.
“Access to fresh, quality food is essential to good health, and supporting locally grown food options can help to reduce pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions,” said Vicki Arroyo, EPA Associate Administrator for Policy. “Our Local Foods, Local Places program provides technical assistance with proven strategies to help communities address their nutritional needs and economic development and environmental goals.”
The selected communities will pursue specific project planning goals:
- Braxton County, West Virginia: Collaborating with Sutton town officials to expand its farmers market and transform a two-acre Main Street space.
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Engaging residents and stakeholders to reimagine the Carrick Neighborhood Farmers Market.
- Turner Station in Baltimore County, Maryland: Creating more opportunities for healthy food access through a Turner Station food access and aggregation plan.
- Spring City, Tennessee: Improving access to local foods with new community gardens and a farmers’ market.
- Rabbit Valley Farmers Market in Ringgold, Georgia: Enhancing community awareness about the market and related food programs on childhood health and nutrition education.
- Wellston, Ohio: Proposing a centrally located downtown open-air market utilizing a vacant city-owned lot.
In all six communities, EPA’s Office of Community Revitalization will organize two-day in-person workshops involving federal, state, regional, and local partners. The goal is to improve public health by increasing access to healthy foods while creating jobs and protecting the environment. The program also integrates food-system assets into communities for local revitalization efforts.
“Increasing the availability of locally grown foods not only provides healthy options for the residents of our Appalachian communities but also spurs economic diversification across the region,” said Gayle Manchin, ARC Federal Co-Chair.
Three of these communities (Ringgold; Wellston; Turner Station) are also participating in an innovative pilot program through EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Program. This program supports holistic planning near Superfund sites addressing legacy environmental justice issues.
“Communities that have faced long-term impacts from local Superfund sites may be ideal candidates for participation in the Local Foods, Local Places program,” said Cliff Villa, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Land and Emergency Management.
Since 2014, this initiative has provided assistance to 137 communities nationwide.