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"Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" is an effort to strengthen local and regional food systems, promote sustainable agriculture, and stimulate rural economies. The $65 million program, chaired by Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, will include actions like helping socially disadvantaged and underserved farmers with direct marketing, providing grants for local business cooperatives, and facilitating interstate meat and poultry commerce for small producers. A farm-to-school initiative focuses on making it easier for schools to purchase locally grown, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Additional announcements and events are rolling out all week. A new White House farmers' market will open on Thursday, and a "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" Web site will launch on Friday. Secretary Vilsack also released a YouTube video and asked Americans to leave their comments and ideas:

Our first response to the program? It's about time! We are thrilled to see the USDA helping Americans connect with their local and regional farmers and will be watching with great interest as the initiative develops.

Further reading:
• News Release: USDA Launches 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' Initiative
• USDA Launches Local Foods Blitz, Bans Fried Foods and Donuts in Cafeteria for a Day, from Chews Wise
• Obama Foodorama Gets the Scoop on "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food", from Obama Foodorama
• FRESHFARM Market (White House farmers' market)

Related: New Trend: Tracing Your Food and FindtheFarmer.com

(Image: Emily Ho)