The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applicants for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program to provide states with $200 million to buy locally grown food for school lunch programs, according to USDA March 17 news release.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the program is a demonstration of USDA's continued efforts to create a more sustainable food system centered on local and regional production "where small can compete against big," as a larger portion of the earnings would go to those who grow, harvest and prepare food products.
“As we build more and better markets, the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program will provide an opportunity for states to strengthen local and regional food systems by increasing links between local farmers, ranchers and food businesses with schools," Vilsack said. "This program also gives students access to the local, nutritious foods unique to the area they live in, building stronger connections across local communities.”
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service will grant state governments cooperative agreements allowing them to buy food from local farmers and ranchers, including disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Farmers and ranchers are those operating within the state or 400 miles of the delivery destination are considered local and regional.
Cooperative agreements, according to the release, would grant organizations the "flexibility to design food purchasing programs and establish partnerships with farmers and ranchers that best suit their local needs, accommodate environmental and climate conditions, account for seasonal harvests, improve supply chain resiliency and meet the needs of schools within their service area."
They will also increase food consumption, while the funds will be used to develop and expand economic opportunities for local, small and disadvantaged producers, as well as to assist schools once the pandemic is over.
