CULPEPER STAR-EXPONENT, ALLISON BROPHY CHAMPION

federal measure introduced earlier this summer would make permanent 12 new Regional Food Business Centers of the USDA.

The American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act would rename the sites “Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers,” and codify the centers as federal law.

The centers assist small- and mid-sized producers in overcoming barriers, with a focus on underserved farmers, ranchers and food businesses, according to a release from Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, co-sponsor of the bill with Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska.

The legislation seeks to strengthen the centers’ ability to increase competition in regional food systems, strengthen local agricultural supply chains and bring down costs, according to the release.

The Southeast Regional Food Business Center, located in Georgia, serves Virginia’s 7th District and counties across Virginia, according to a spokeswoman from Spanberger’s office. The Appalachia Regional Food Business Center also supports a few of the commonwealth’s western counties.

Virginia’s producers can benefit from localized technical assistance and grant dollars, which the centers that serve Virginia offer, to expand operations or get them off the ground. The congresswoman’s new legislation would then expand technical assistance and make sure those federal grant dollars remain available for Virginians, according to the spokeswoman.

Michael Carter Jr., owner and operator of Carter Farms in Orange County, sits on the board for the Southeast Regional Food Business Center, representing the needs of local farmers and producers.

“Agriculture is Virginia’s number one private industry and our local producers keep our commonwealth fueled and fed,” said Spanberger.

Making the Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers permanent would make sure farmers and ranchers have the support necessary to expand their operations, increase competition along the food supply chain and consequently lower costs for consumers, she added.

“Agriculture is the backbone of America and the way our country helps feed the world. Growing our country’s network of Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers will help spur even more innovation in the coming years,” said Flood.

Backing the measure are American Farmland Trust and National Young Farmers Coalition.