Gov. Youngkin announces over $260K in grants to support local food production
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – Governor Glenn Youngkin announced on Wednesday the latest round of grants in order to help support food production in the Commonwealth.
According to a release, $264,000 in grants, provided by Youngkin's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Infrastructure Grant program, will go towards six community infrastructure products with the goal of enhancing food markets and expanding access to locally grown food.
'Awards from the Governor's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund Infrastructure Grant program are pivotal in providing targeted support to communities who want to create innovative solutions to local, healthy food access,' Youngkin said. 'We are proud to invest in the efforts of these dedicated food leaders who are making a lasting impact on the lives of Virginians across the Commonwealth.'
'It's so important that we help our farmers and small food producers get their products to consumers, especially consumers in their local community,' Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr said. 'These grants support farm income, strengthen local economies, and increase residents' access to fresh local foods. It's a win for everyone.'
A list of the projects across the Commonwealth receiving funding can be found below:
Farmers Market Weatherization Improvements — Town of Abingdon
$50,000
Adding a removable weather resistant curtain wall, tracked doors, heating and a two-bay sink to transform the market into a year-round facility
Commissary Kitchen and Food Aggregator — Bath County
$50,000
Equipping The Village Kitchen, a commissary kitchen and food aggregator for the area, with a fully-equipped shared-use facility
Farmers Market Expansion — Cumberland County
$32,678
Improving and upgrading the farmers market at the Luther P. Jackson Community Center
SIP Seafood Market — City of Newport News
$50,000
Funding to cover equipment purchases, including ice machines, refrigerating units, ice pans and food display items, for the SIP Seafood Market
Winter Market Building — Town of Onancock
$31,943
Funding to cover equipment costs and prefabricated building to house a winter market for the area
Expansion of Farm Stand into Brick and Mortar Market — Prince William County
$49,450
Funding to cover building, electrical, insulation, drywall, paint, refrigerator, freezer, display and signage for Sunshine Honey Farm
Those interested in applying for the next round of grants, which will be accepted in the spring, can do so through the link here.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Virginia is one of two states, along with New Jersey, that host statewide elections this year. The contests will be closely watched as a measure of whether voters in the shadow of Washington will embrace President Donald Trump's aggressive effort to overhaul the federal government, or be repelled by it. Democrats' outsized fundraising lead ahead of the primaries may reflect local Democratic enthusiasm and the party's ability to push people to the polls in light of Trump being in office. Mark J. Rozell, dean of George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government, also referenced the noticeable frostiness among leading state Republicans. The party's statewide nominees have yet to campaign together, despite securing their nominations at the end of April. 'Enthusiasm drives fundraising and in Virginia right now the Democrats' voting base has much greater enthusiasm' than Republicans, Rozell said. 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Clean Virginia has donated to both Democrats and Republicans, including to candidates running for the House of Delegates, where all 100 members are up for reelection in November. Democrats who control the legislature are hoping to keep or expand their thin majority and amend the state's Constitution to protect rights to voting, marriage equality and abortion. Democratic candidates have raised about $16.9 million in those races, with $3.2 million stemming from House Speaker Don Scott. ———
