2019-07-222019-07-222009http://hdl.handle.net/10827/30993The South Carolina Department of Agriculture received $110,424.99 from the Specialty Crops Block Grant Program, Grant No. 12-25-B-0656. The Department used the funds to promote and encourage food safety, to provide website development and internet marketing opportunities, to provide for farmers markets at two major universities, to support specialty events at state farmers markets, and to expand a restaurant program called “fresh on the menu”. These efforts have expanded the scope of the South Carolina Marketing and Branding Program by addressing food safety and handling issues to help insure the quality of locally grown products. A new audience of young adults is exposed to healthy, locally grown products and information related to healthy eating habits. The program funds have supported retail and wholesale through flower shows and other special events at South Carolina’s three state farmers markets. The restaurant program has expanded with more than two hundred restaurants highlighting locally grown products on the menu.application/pdfDocumentCopyright status undetermined. For more information contact, South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201.Specialty crops--South CarolinaFood industry and trade--Safety measuresFarmers' marketsBlock grants--South CarolinaText