First Green Foundation Launches Area Wide Study to Find Ways to Strengthen Farming Economy in Central Florida

MOUNT DORA, Fla. – First Green Foundation of Lake County has launched an area wide study to find ways to strengthen the farming economy in Central Florida.

Kenneth LaRoe, a foundation board founder and chief executive officer of First Green Bank of Lake County, said the foundation’s study is looking at ways to improve the market for independent local farms.

“We are looking closely at feasible strategies to increase consumer demand for local farm produce and products and generate more market activity for farmers,” LaRoe said.

LaRoe said First Green Foundation is studying ways to generate more local farm-to-consumer business activity and more wholesale growth to hotels, restaurants and food suppliers.

“Farming is an especially valuable component of the local economy,” LaRoe said. “By improving the market for local farm goods, we can reduce transportation costs to import farm goods, get fresher, healthier food onto consumer tables and substantially improve local economic conditions in highly sustainable ways,” LaRoe explained.