AGRICULTURE

USDA helps rural South Dakota grocery store cut energy costs

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Farm Forum

HURON, S.D. – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director for South Dakota Julie Gross has announced that Langer’s Supermarkets, Inc. (trade name Langer’s Family Foods) received $3,767 to purchase and install LED lighting in the grocery store in Gettysburg, S.D.

“Assisting rural communities is our mission and the grocery store in Gettysburg is vital to the community,” said Gross. “Reducing operating costs, reducing energy consumption and dramatically changing the look of their store are just a few of the benefits they will obtain with their new lighting.”

Langer’s Family Foods is a family owned grocery store. The store is a convenient one-stop shop where you can purchase everyday essentials including quality fresh meat, frozen food items, dairy, health and beauty products to a wide array of locally grown fruit and vegetables.

Gross’ announcement is in coordination with the recent announcement made by Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA is awarding 58 grants for projects in 17 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to reduce energy costs for farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses and institutions.

USDA is providing the grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Congress created REAP in the 2002 Farm Bill and reauthorized it in the 2018 Farm Bill. The program helps increase U.S. energy independence by expanding the private-sector supply of renewable energy.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.