(MSC News)--More than $5.6 million has been awarded to 49 Kansas projects to strengthen the middle of the State's food supply chain, with several of the recipients locally based.

A release from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly explains that "through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, administered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, eight grants will improve producers’ infrastructure, while the other 41 will strengthen the middle of the state- food supply chain operations.”

Kelly, in the release, says the State's "central location and abundant agriculture production are critical to the nation- food supply chain,” adding that "by investing in our producers and businesses in this sector, we are strengthening economic growth across the state.”

Locally, JET Produce and Meats, LLC, based in Leavenworth, is named as one of the eight infrastructure grant recipients, while equipment only grants are awarded to five locally connected operations. They are Bramble Rose Farm, LLC, of Basehor; the Cardinal Community Foundation, of Wetmore; the Wamego location of Highland Community College, Jirak Family Produce, LLC, of Cummings; Morning Light, LLC, of Hoyt, which does business as Morning Light Kombucha; and Next to Nature Farm, in Leavenworth.

According to the release, "the projects selected for funding were informed by engagement and outreach with underserved producers to understand the needs of the agriculture supply chain."

The awarded funding is part of the $420 million available through the federal American Rescue Plan.