CRAFT at Chatham University Awarded $494,000 by the USDA to Help Region’s Food Producers

Chatham University was recently awarded over $494,000 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help support farmers and food producers in Western Pennsylvania.

This effort will fund work done by the Center for Regional Agriculture, Food, and Transformation (CRAFT) at Chatham University. 

Using the funds, CRAFT will create and provide coordination and technical assistance that addresses a critical gap in Western Pennsylvania’s food system: the lack of targeted marketing and merchandising support for farmers and small- to mid-sized value-added producers. 

The project, known as “RegionALLY Appalachia: Building Pathways Through Marketing, Mobilizing, and Mentoring,” has three objectives: 

Merchandising and Marketing

CRAFT will create new opportunities for value-added producers through retail coordination, increasing product visibility, identifying effective communication strategies, and creating regionally specific marketing content to elevate the Appalachian foodshed.

Network Growth and Development

CRAFT will build on its pre-existing network to cultivate mature market connections and promotional opportunities by organizing business-to-business meetings as well as sampling and vending opportunities, which will strengthen relationships across the value chain.

Education and Technical Assistance 

CRAFT will build on its technical assistance program for both producers and retailers. This program includes a suite of classes, relevant resources, and access to business and food safety certifications and education.

“We're excited to build on our previous work to better understand gaps and provide solutions to ensure our region’s value-added food producers get the resources they need to thrive and carve out a sustaining piece of the regional market,” says Nicolette Spudic, director of business support at CRAFT.

The funding comes from the USDA’s Local Food Promotion Program, part of the Local Agriculture Market Program.

Learn more about CRAFT at craft.chatham.edu.