USDA announced last week plan to create a dozen new food centers. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the food centers are a way to strengthen local and regional food systems, while helping small and midsized farms and ag businesses reach new markets. The effort piggybacks off growing plans to limit consolidation in large-scale agriculture.

Vilsack says 89% of the record farm profits seen in 2022 went to just 7.5% of U.S. farmers. The new food centers, called Regional Food Business Centers, will help “close the gaps to success” for small and midsized producers. Funded by $400 million in grants, the center will be led by a range of organizations.

Vilsack also announced last week that another $420 million in funding will also go toward resilient food system infrastructure.

Read more on USDA’s efforts to bring new markets to smaller operations here.