The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded Oxnard wholesaler San Miguel Produce a $250,000 grant to spur job growth in Ventura County.

Part of the USDA’s Rural Development initiative, the funding aims to help generate 28 jobs and provide working capital for San Miguel’s juicing kit project which combines kale, spinach, beet greens, bok choy and other leafy greens for West Coast and Midwest markets.

“Agriculture is an essential part of Ventura County’s heritage and plays a critical role in our vibrant and diverse economy,” Congresswoman Julia Brownley, D-Westlake Village, said in a news release announcing the grant.

Brownley wrote a letter of support to the USDA on behalf of San Miguel and said “new market opportunities developed on its behalf would benefit the entire industry.”

The new line of products include varieties of dark greens that capitalize on new trends in health, said San Miguel Chief Operating Officer Jan Berk.

“More and more people are trying to add more dark greens to meet their healthy lifestyle and our new juicing line is designed to help consumers make it easier to do so,” Berk said. “We want to thank Congresswoman Brownley for her support of our grant application.”