Massachusetts Receives Two FSMIP Grant Awards

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Venneman recently announced the allocation of Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) grants for this fiscal year. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources received two grants in the amount of $93,100 to identify new markets for fresh and processed cranberries and cranberry products and to foster direct marketing of locally grown ethnic produce to Asian and Brazilian immigrant communities in eastern Massachusetts. These grants will be implemented in cooperation with the Cranberry Marketing Committee, the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association, the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association and the University of Massachusetts.

“Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program grants support the development of new market opportunities for our nation’s food and agricultural products,” Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Venneman said. “The program encourages research and innovations to improve the efficient and performance of our agricultural marketing system.”