Tennessee funds food access through cost sharing grants with federal funds

(The Center Square) – Tennessee sent federal funding to five small agricultural businesses to help with production increases through the Tennessee Urban Farm and Forestry cost share program.

The program’s goal is to increase access to nutritious food in urban areas of the state.

“This cost share funding is essential for strengthening Tennessee's agricultural economy,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher said. “Farm and forest businesses are utilizing these funds to boost production and improve the quality of life for our citizens, especially in the regions supported by TUFF.”

The state received 19 applications and $3.3 million in funding requests through the program.

The funding went to Mayfield Lumber Co. in Warren County for lumber storage building expansion, Dickson County for a regional agricultural center, Davidson County’s Friends of Mill Ridge Park to increase access to fresh food, Cocke County’s Demcor Inc to purchase mulch producing equipment, and to Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency in Wilson County for food storage building construction.

Tennessee set aside $4 million of American Rescue Plan funding for the TUFF program while it received more than $6.5 million in funding requests.