Grant Award: The Producers & Buyers Co-op (Co-op), an organization that links local farms with institutions (such as hospitals, schools and universities), received a $54,600 federal USDA grant to expand local food markets, build capacity and increase Co-op membership.

National Acclaim: When Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the grant announcement, he went out of his way to specifically highlight the Co-op in his speech. (Of all the grantees across 45 states, the news release singled out the Co-op for news outlets across the country.)

Pioneering Local Food to Hospitals: The Co-op began with an innovative hospital partnership with local farmers. Today, SJH serve as demonstration sites to pilot new products.