Courtney Announces $25,000 Grant to Strengthen Market for Local Produce

Washington—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney announced a $25,000 federal grant to CLiCK (Commercially Licensed Co-Operative Kitchen), Inc. of Willimantic. Awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Rural Business Enterprise Grant will help fund the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment for use by regional farmers and others seeking to incubate small local culinary businesses. CLiCK, Inc. will be equipped to enable local food growers process their produce, connecting them with markets and directly to customers. The organization’s facilities also assist the local community in working to create food-related solutions to social and economic challenges such as unemployment and food insecurity.

“CLiCK is a valuable resource for eastern Connecticut farms and other community organizations that need access to processing equipment,” Courtney said. “By bringing processors, producers, and markets together, CLiCK is strengthening the marketplace for wholesome local produce, and this grant will support their important efforts.”

Dr. Phoebe Godfrey, CLiCK's Board President and co-founder, said, "We are very pleased that the USDA has chosen to help us get closer to achieving our mission, which is to create a commercially licensed kitchen committed to serving the economic and social needs of farmers and food producers in Eastern Connecticut. We are also pleased that Congressman Courtney understands the importance of increasing the production and processing of local food in Connecticut and recognizes the role that CLiCK will play in achieving this goal."

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