Information Charlottesville

Three projects in our area have secured funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia to help expand the local food industry. Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced ten grants totaling $368,885 from the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Grant Program. 

One is $24,000 for Kelly Turkeys in Albemarle County to purchase equipment to begin grinding turkey for sales. 

“In operation since 2015, Kelly Turkeys grows and processes KellyBronze birds, an internationally known breed of heritage turkeys raised using sustainable farming methods,” reads the press release. 

The second is for $50,000 for a request from the Charlottesville Economic Development Authority for a commercial kitchen for the Black Entrepreneurial Advancement and Community Opportunity Network (BEACON) intended to help up to 16 local food businesses. 

Nelson County will receive $25,000 to help purchase UltraPV apple processing equipment for Silver Creek and Seaman’s orchards that will allow for output to triple. 

“The UV treatment allows orchards to produce an FDA-approved product with an extended shelf life, which will allow locally produced cider to be distributed throughout the region,” reads the press release. 

Other projects in the state include:

• $21,500 for a commercial kitchen in Bedford County for EcoFriendly Foods
• $50,000 for the Virginia Produce Company to expand its vegetable processing in Carroll County 
• $50,000 for a commercial kitchen in Culpeper County at the George Washington Carver Food Enterprise Center
• $33,333 for a meat processing plant in Franklin County
• $15,502 for a farmer’s market in the City of Galax
• $50,000 for a commercial cannery in Prince Edward County 
• $50,000 for an entity called the Local Environmental Agriculture Project (LEAP) for a food hub in Roanoke 

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