The Herndon Connection reports a recent visit to Frying Pan Park by Kevin Concannon, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Food. He visited May 17 to check out and praise the farmers’ market at the park.

In addition to visiting with local vendors and shoppers, he announced new grant opportunities for states to purchase Electronic Benefit Transfer wireless technology for the markets.

“There are about 7,000 farmer’s markets nationally, and about 2,500 of those have access to electricity or wireless connectivity,” Concannon said. “Our goal with these grants is to close the gap.”