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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Adriana Clowe, Director of Operations for Desert Spoon Food Hub, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a total of $445,018 in funding to the non-profit to increase El Pasoans’ access to local agricultural products and strengthen our regional food system. 

The funding, made possible by the FY21 appropriations omnibus, will be distributed by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service through the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP). 

“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the importance of transforming our nation’s food system and the need to create more opportunities for El Paso families to access more locally-sourced, nutritious, and affordable ingredients,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Supporting organizations that advance these efforts while expanding economic opportunities in our community is a priority for me and I am thrilled to have advocated and voted for this critical funding that will enable Desert Spoon to support our farmers and ensure El Pasoans have access to locally grown food.”

“We are excited and extremely grateful for the opportunity to represent our region and our local farmers. This grant will further our mission to build a more local and inclusive food system that provides greater representation and economic advancement for our local farmers,” said Adriana Clowe. “At a time when we have witnessed the many inequalities of our food system, this investment further shows the importance of centering communities and agriculture in how we address the many challenges we have around food and how we choose to feed ourselves.”

During the FY21, LFPP awarded a total of $75.4 million to 172 projects across the country – including Desert Spoon Food Hub. The LFPP funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand local and regional food business enterprises that help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.