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Select Board backs application for USDA planning grant to address local food-system gaps
Summary
The Select Board agreed to support a planning-commission-led application for a USDA planning grant (described in the meeting as $100,000) to study chicken processing, a regional distribution satellite and barriers to local food consumption; the planning commission will lead the application.
The Royalton Select Board voted to greenlight a planning commission application for a USDA planning grant intended to study and address three local food-system gaps: chicken processing, distribution efficiency, and increasing local consumption.
A planning commissioner and presenter (speaker 10) outlined the opportunity, saying the USDA announced a $100,000 planning grant with a fast turnaround. The planning commission proposed to hire consultants to examine chicken-processing options, assess a satellite of an existing farm-distribution hub (Farm Connects), and research why local residents don’t buy more locally produced foods. The presenter said the match would be provided largely in-kind by volunteer planning-commission time and that part of the grant could include eligible indirect costs.
After discussion about consultant use and budget details, the board voted to support applying for the grant. One member abstained; the motion to apply was approved by voice vote. The planning commission agreed to continue developing a budget and return with final cost estimates for the board to review.
The board emphasized the application is to fund planning (not operations) and that the town would not run the production or distribution businesses; rather, consultants and local operators would be identified during the planning process. If awarded, the planning work would be used to determine feasibility and identify potential operators or partners for chicken processing and distribution, and to design outreach and pilot strategies to get residents to purchase more local food.
