Communities across Missouri can now apply for the next round of Missouri EATs, a grant-funded initiative from University of Missouri (MU) Extension that helps communities strengthen their local food systems. One community will be selected to work with MU Extension and the Missouri Rural Food Access Partnership team on a comprehensive planning process. Part of MU Extension’s Community Development program, Missouri EATs (Engage, Act, Transform) helps communities identify local food system assets and challenges, develop actionable plans to address top priorities and ultimately make lasting changes to their local food systems, according to Bill McKelvey, senior project coordinator for MU’s Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security. Communities interested in issues related to food access, hunger and health, food and farm business development, or other food system opportunities are encouraged to apply. Key benefits of the Missouri EATs opportunity Community action plans: The selected…