The Local Foods, Local Places program is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Pelican Rapids was selected to participate in the Local Foods/Local Places program in 2020. A steering committee of community members, consultants, and federal and state agency partners formed to create a a Community Action Plan that would support the program’s goals:

• Increase economic opportunities for local food producers.
• Provide improved access to healthy, local food, especially among disadvantaged groups.
• Revitalize small towns

The Community Action Plan consists of four main objectives: establishing a market space, support local food entrepreneurs, culturally diversify the agricultural economy in the Pelican Rapids area, and empower community members with opportunities and resources that improve food security and ability to participate in food systems planning.

Community Action Plan Goal 1: Foster market channels and supply chain relationships for more locally grown, raised, or harvested food to flow within the community.

Action 1.1: Define a space for a physical farmers market.

Action 1.2: Create a comprehensive list of food producers & businesses to foster connections to form future purchasing relationships.

Action 1.3: Host a Healthy Food Fair in partnership/collaboration with an existing community event.

Action 1.4: Create a food systems coordinator position to help advance the Local Foods, Local Places Action Plan and other initiatives.