The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has entered into a cooperative agreement with the state of Montana under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA).
According to a July 19 news release, the Montana Department of Agriculture will utilize the LFPA to buy and supply locally grown and processed foods from underrepresented producers.
“USDA is excited to partner with Montana to promote economic opportunities for farmers and producers and to increase access to locally sourced, fresh, healthy and nutritious food in underserved communities,” USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt said in the release. “The Local Food Purchase Cooperative Agreement Program will improve food and agricultural supply-chain resiliency and increase local food consumption around the country.”
The USDA intends to distribute approximately $400 million to support local, regional and underrepresented farmers by purchasing food produced inside the state or within 400 miles of a delivery location, the release said.
These funds will be distributed through cooperation contracts with state and tribal governments.
“This is a win-win for Montana agriculture,” Montana Department of Agriculture Director Christy Clark said. “The USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance program will bolster our state supply chains and deliver nutritious, locally-grown food to families across our state.”
The LFPA initiative has been authorized to preserve and strengthen U.S. food and agricultural supply chains through the American Rescue Plan.
