Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer holds up his state’s generous new food procurement bill—which he signed—accompanied by leaders of Grow Montana and state legislators. Front row left to right: Governor Brian Schweitzer, Rep. Carol Williams; back row left to right:  Neva Hassanein, Nancy Matheson, Jonda Crosby, Mark LoParco, Crissie McMullan, Jan Tusick, Sonny Harrell, Rep. Michele Reinhart, Rep. Tim Furey

Photo credit:  National Center for Appropriate Technology

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer helps Grow Montana promote Montana-grown and processed food, shown here with food that will be served by the University of Montana dining services. UM head chef, Tom Siegel, is to the right.

Photo credit:  National Center for Appropriate Technology

Grow Montana’s Food Corps, a team of AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers trained to develop farm to cafeteria programs, talks with University of Montana Dining Services head chef Tom Siegel. Left to right: Tom Siegel, Mecca Jackson, Kevin Moore, Lauren Caldwell, and dining services staff.

Photo credit: University of Montana Dining Services

Food processing is lacking in Montana. Small and start-up food entrepreneurs depend on the services provided by public-use facilities like the Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center pictured above.

Photo credit  Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center