November 7, 2023 2:50 a.m.

On Monday, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Representative Val Hoyle announced nearly $900,000 in federal funds for Oregon to help increase the availability of locally sourced agricultural products and strengthen local and regional food systems statewide.

Wyden said, “Oregon has some of the best produce in the world growing right here in our state, and supporting hardworking Oregonians in agriculture and fishing is a huge priority”. Wyden said, “This federal investment is key to helping our state’s farmers and fishers as well as all Oregonians to enjoy the bounty of key produce from growers across Oregon”.

Merkley said, “These federal investments will expand and strengthen our local food systems and increase the availability of locally grown agricultural and fishing products. The results will be a win-win for the fishers and farmers driving our economy, and for Oregon families looking to put more homegrown products on their kitchen tables”.

Hoyle said, “Oregon’s farmers, fishers and consumers are all better off when we invest in our local and regional food systems”.  She said this will mean jobs and more access to high-quality local products for Oregonians.

The release said the $867,133 in federal funds comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Local Agriculture Market Program, Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Programs and the Regional Food System Partnerships grant programs. These awards will be distributed as follows:

*Friends of Family Farmers in Junction City – $264,360

*Pacific NW CSA Coalition in Portland – $124,999

*Central Coast Food Web in Newport – $477, 774