The Department of Agriculture announced July 6 an agreement with Washington state that will increase commerce for farmers.

“USDA is excited to partner with Washington state to promote economic opportunities for farmers and producers and to increase access to locally sourced, fresh, healthy, and nutritious food in underserved communities,” said Jenny Moffitt, undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, according to a USDA press release.

The Agricultural Marketing Service signed an agreement with Washington state under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, the release stated. Through this agreement, the State Department of Agriculture for Washington hopes to purchase and distribute food from underserved producers.

“The Local Food Purchase Cooperative Agreement Program will improve food and agricultural supply-chain resiliency and increase local food consumption around the country” Moffitt said.

Derek Sandison, director of the Washington state Local Food Purchase Assistance Pilot Program, was encouraged by the agreement.

“Many thanks to USDA for this opportunity; we greatly appreciate it,” Sandison said. “This agreement will allow us to build on our efforts to both improve the economic viability of our farmers and ranchers and to provide healthy and nutritious food for all Washingtonians”