On Friday, April 15th, 2011, the Minneapolis City Council adopted the City’s first Urban Agriculture Policy Plan. The plan is an outgrowth of Homegrown Minneapolis, a program designed to improve the growth, sales, distribution, and consumption of healthy, locally grown foods in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said, “This plan represents hundreds of hours of work of volunteers and City staff, and it’s paid off.” He continued, “The plan makes it easier to be part of the local, healthy, sustainable food movement and is a giant step toward helping our city and state move closer to food independence.”
Part of the plan worth noting is an exciting opportunity for those who’d like to take a crack at starting their own food-related business.
The Homegrown Business Development Center pilot program will provide technical assistance for Minneapolis-based businesses for production, distribution, marketing, and manufacturing of local food products. They’ve also established a loan fund of $100,000, which will provide financing of up to $10,000 each for businesses that promote sustainable agriculture and food production.
You can read more about the Urban Agriculture Policy Plan and the Homegrown Business Development Center pilot program online.
