Pulaski Participating in National Community Revitalization Initiative

The Trump Administration has announced that the Town of Pulaski is one of 15
communities selected to participate in Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP), a federal initiative that helps communities reinvest in existing neighborhoods and improve quality of life as they develop the local food economy. Through LFLP, a team of agricultural, environmental, public health and regional economic development experts will work directly with the Town of Pulaski and other community leaders to consider ways to connect ongoing food and health related initiatives that are part of a downtown renaissance in Pulaski, Virginia.
“The Town of Pulaski’s participation in this year’s Local Foods, Local Places initiative is another marker of our community’s ongoing revival,” said Nichole Hair, Deputy Town Manager and local Project Director. “A two-day workshop slated for June 17-18 will encourage community dialogue regarding access to healthier lifestyles for citizens of Pulaski. At the end of the workshop, Pulaski will have an action plan designed to expand current efforts underway in town. Our ultimate aim is a healthier, more vibrant downtown, and the LFLP opportunity brings focus to next steps in achieving
those goals.
This year, LFLP is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service, and the Northern Border Regional Commission. The 2019 Local Foods, Local Places communities were chosen from more than 70 applicants. Since its launch in 2014, LFLP has helped 93 communities across the country develop local food enterprises, such as farmers markets, community gardens and cooperative grocery stores, that improve environmental, economic, and health outcomes.
“EPA is proud to partner with USDA and the Northern Border Regional Commission to offer support to communities looking to develop their local food economy,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.
“Support for local food initiatives can improve access to fresh foods, support farmers, grow new businesses, and protect the environment.”
Located in Pulaski County, the Town of Pulaski was incorporated in 1886 and serves as the county seat. Situated in the heart of the New River Valley, the Town of Pulaski is home to over 9,000 residents. Downtown Pulaski continues to be a focus of revitalization and economic development. An integral part of that process is making connections with food and with people. Pulaski’s proposed project, “Food Connects Us: A Plan to Integrate Food and People in Downtown Pulaski,” will develop a plan to connect the Pulaski YMCA, the Marketplace and the future Calfee Community Center. This connection is not just a physical one of expanding and improving sidewalks and trail systems, but also
a social connection for the citizens of Pulaski. The two-day community workshop will generate an action plan to make connections between the three downtown assets and the people of Pulaski.

For more information about Local Foods, Local Places: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/localfoods-local-places
For more information about LFLP communities selected in 2019:
https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/local-foods-local-places#2019
For further inquiries about Pulaski’s Local Foods, Local Places community workshop, contact Nichole Hair, Deputy Town Manager, by phone at 540-994-8610 or by email at nhair@pulaskitown.org. Watch the Town of Pulaski Facebook and website for further announcements about this initiative.