AM22LFPA0000C015

The purpose of this agreement is to purchase and distribute an estimated two million pounds of local produce, rice, meat, and seafood while targeting purchases from socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry intends to expand economic opportunities for local producers, particularly those from socially disadvantaged areas, and to increase the amount of locally grown items distributed to underserved communities throughout the state.

In addition to providing them with immediate economic support through food purchases, we will also work to strengthen capacity, resiliency, and economic opportunities for local disadvantaged growers by providing technical assistance to promote long-term sustainability. The goals of this program are to distribute the equivalent of one million, six hundred thousand meals' worth of locally grown and produced food to approximately 130,000 people while at the same time providing support to two hundred socially disadvantaged farmers with technical assistance in both group and individualized settings to make their farms operationally ready to participate in this program and expand their economic opportunities during and beyond this program.

Metrics will also be tracked across the course of the grant and used to inform a toolkit to be shared with other states, nonprofit organizations, and food banks with best practices for enhancing local food systems by connecting local producers and low-income neighbors. Quarterly performance reports will be submitted to capture the number of producers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, distribution sites, and underserved locations, as well as funds expended for each category. Annual reports will provide percentages of new marketing opportunities and purchases distributed beyond current food distribution networks.

We anticipate executing contracts with ninety local producers, of which forty to forty-five percent will be from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, with the majority of those being specialty crop farmers. Procured food will serve approximately one hundred thirty thousand people over the course of the grant period, all of whom are from underserved communities. The recipient plans to subaward funds to Feeding Louisiana.

Louisiana Department Of Agriculture And Forestry

10.182 - Food Bank Network

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) [USDA]

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806-4248 United States

Single Zip Code

Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (USDA-AMS-10182-LFPA0000-22-0001)