Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently led a stakeholder conversation in Jackson to shed light on the new Delta Regional Food Business Center established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The center aims to strengthen food supply chain infrastructure in the Delta region by fostering public and private partnerships.

Delta Regional Food Business Center is a collaborative effort among community-based organizations, universities, and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Its main objective is to assist regional clusters of food and farm businesses in accessing new local markets and enhancing resilience in the supply chain by bolstering regional food systems. Vilsack expressed optimism about the center’s potential, highlighting its role in creating market opportunities for producers in the Delta region. The center’s initiatives are expected to improve farm income, generate well-paying jobs, and enhance overall food system resiliency.

In September 2022, USDA announced $400 million in funding for the Regional Food Business Initiative. In May, it selected 12 organizations to lead efforts in various regions across the country. These Regional Food Business Centers will provide localized support to producers, facilitating their access to diverse markets, including connections with wholesalers and distributors. The Delta USDA Regional Food Business Center, based in Clarksdale, Mississippi, will be supported by the Mississippi Delta Council for Farm Worker Opportunities, Inc., a minority-led non-profit. Working in partnership with community-based organizations, CDFIs, and universities, their goal is to convert 2% of all imported food into locally produced food within the region. This shift is projected to increase regional annual income by over $100 million.

The establishment of Regional Food Business Centers, including the Delta Center, aims to foster economic opportunities by bridging rural and urban areas. In creating a more diverse and resilient food system, these centers drive growth across their respective regions. The Delta Center plans to organize its efforts around multi-county clusters of food and farm businesses, promoting collaboration, resource sharing, and the development of cooperatives. The Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA will partner with state and territorial departments of agriculture to implement this program.