WASHINGTON, October 25, 2012 - On Saturday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the grand opening of the NewBo City Market. He will highlight the growing strength of local and regional food systems, USDA's continuing efforts to expand marketing opportunities for producers and small businesses, and the important role this market and ventures like it can play to strengthen the Iowa economy.
NewBo City Market, located in a reclaimed, formerly flood-ravaged industrial site in the heart of Cedar Rapid's New Bohemia district serves as a public market for area small businesses selling Iowa-produced food and food products. In addition to the market space, NewBo comprises an entire city block at the crossroads of 12th Ave. and 3rd St. SE and houses an event hall, a culinary kitchen, and a distribution center that will facilitate efforts to feed hungry families in the area.
The local and regional food sector is a multi-billion dollar piece of America's thriving agricultural economy. Since 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture under Secretary Vilsack's leadership has supported all sectors of American agriculture, including efforts to strengthen local and regional food systems for farmers of all types and sizes, helping them take advantage of new opportunities and succeed in today's diverse marketplace. Today, the number of farmer's markets has increased more than 60 percent over 2008 levels, and USDA efforts have supported more than 200 new food hubs across America that are helping small and medium-sized producers and value-added small businesses reach broader markets.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
10:45 a.m. CDT
WHAT: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host a press availability to discuss the importance of local agriculture at the grand opening of the NewBo City Market.
WHERE: NewBo City Market
1100 3rd Street SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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