AM23LFPA0000C015

The Let's Grow Arizona Local Food Purchase Assistance Program for Arizona will be implemented through a strengths-based three-tiered approach by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, working in collaboration with the Arizona Food Bank Network and Pinnacle Prevention.

This will include engaging local producers through direct market outlets and focusing on distribution among low-income individuals within local municipalities. Additionally, the program will engage local producers through regional collaboration efforts that will scale regional innovations that surfaced amid the pandemic. Furthermore, the program will engage local producers through the expansion of the Friends of the Farm efforts, which is a farm-to-food bank program offering institutional purchasing and distribution power.

The purpose of this agreement is to purchase and distribute local food, targeting purchases from socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The Local Food Purchase Assistance funding for Arizona will be implemented through a strengths-based approach, leveraging current efforts underway that are expanding local food consumption among low-income individuals. This approach also serves as an opportunity to explore a tiered approach to entry for socially disadvantaged farmers, meeting farmers where they are at while expanding economic opportunities across multiple channels.

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.

The Arizona Department of Economic Security aims to establish 140 new marketing opportunities by purchasing from local food producers, with an expected sustainability rate of 20 percent after funding is expended. Additionally, the department plans to establish 100 new marketing opportunities by purchasing from socially disadvantaged local food producers, with the same expected sustainability rate. Furthermore, the department will establish 10 new food distribution networks to serve underserved communities, with an expected sustainability rate of 20 percent.

The Arizona Department of Economic Security will disseminate project progress and results monthly to the State Nutrition Action Committee, and quarterly progress and results to the Hunger Advisory Council and through the Arizona Food Systems Network. Annual project reports will reach approximately 250 stakeholders across the state. Additionally, the department will compile and share project evaluation outcomes with 250 stakeholders to inform ongoing scale and expansion opportunities.

The Local Food Purchase Assistance Program presents an opportunity to increase reach further among socially disadvantaged producers by expanding the types of local food options that can be purchased and distributed among underserved communities, as well as the pathways by which consumers can connect with their local producers. It is projected that this project will reach at least 10,000 underserved individuals in at least 10 counties by the end of the project period.

The recipient plans to subaward funds to the Arizona Food Bank Network and Pinnacle Prevention.

Arizona Department Of Economic Security

10.182 - Food Bank Network

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) [USDA]

Arizona United States

State-Wide

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

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have decreased 50% from $16,600,000 to $8,300,000.