TWINSBURG, Ohio, Feb. 8, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small visited Twinsburg today to announce that USDA is investing $2.4 million to help expand a local company and strengthen the food supply chain throughout northeastern Ohio.
“We’re securing our nation’s food supply by partnering with rural businesses that work every day to feed American families,” Torres Small said. “Under the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris and Secretary Vilsack, USDA uses programs like the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program to back private investments that cut food waste, get nutritious meals to people across rural America, and create a more equitable, diverse and resilient food supply chain. These partnerships allow USDA to fulfill the Biden Administration’s promise to end hunger and increase healthy eating, one meal at a time.”
USDA is making a $2.4 million investment in Thomaslane, Inc. to help the company buy high-pressure processing equipment that will extend the shelf life of prepared meals that Innovation Food Services provides to schools, daycare facilities and seniors throughout northeastern Ohio. This will reduce food waste by keeping meals fresh for up to 100 days, 10 times longer than without the new equipment.
USDA is investing the funds through the Department’s Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program. This program provides financial support to qualified lenders that help companies start or expand middle-of-the-food-supply-chain activities such as aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesale or distribution of food. The program’s goal is to increase capacity and help create a more resilient, diverse and secure U.S. food supply chain.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.rd.usda.gov/oh
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