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kets. In 2005, local food sales totaled about $1 billion across the nation. Last year, according to industry estimates, sales of local foods totaled nearly $7 billion.
•  At USDA, we believe that strengthening local and regional food systems, including farmers markets, will be a cornerstone of a revitalized rural economy.
•  Under the Obama Administration, USDA has helped nearly 450 farmers market and other direct-marketing projects in every state, under our Farmers Market Promotion Program. We've also supported nearly 300 projects to help farmers develop and sell new, value-added products through our Value-Added Producer Grants program.
•  We have helped increase the number of markets that accept EBT technology - which allows folks to use nutrition assistance benefits to buy fresh, farmers market produce - by nearly 100 percent in the last two years.
•  And to be sure American agriculture is ready to meet the growing demand for local products, we've helped thousands of small producers to get started and keep growing.
•  We want to continue these efforts - and to do so, USDA continues to urge Congress to pass a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill. This would expand USDA support for local and regional marketing opportunities, including farmers markets, around the country.
•  This week we joined folks around the country in celebrating our nation's thousands of farmers markets. More Americans than ever have a thriving farmers market in their city or town - and by providing support to grow and strengthen these markets, we can create even more opportunity for American agriculture.
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