The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a $1.7 billion investment to purchase locally and regionally produced foods for emergency food assistance. This funding, facilitated by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), aims to support American producers by providing access to local and regional markets and the financial benefits of selling directly to institutions. The initiative also ensures that American children and families in need have access to healthy food at schools, child care facilities, and emergency food providers.

"The investments USDA is announcing today provide immediate and long-term assistance to American farmers, families, and communities," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "By delivering food from domestic producers to schools, child care facilities, and emergency feeding organizations, we’re securing local and regional markets for those farmers and ensuring our students, young children, and neighbors in need are getting nutritious, reliable meals. These types of investments keep local economies strong and help build resilient food systems with lasting impact."

These initiatives expand on previous investments in local and regional food systems that have helped many farmers find new markets and recover from supply chain disruptions. Local commercial opportunities are particularly important for small- and mid-sized farming operations following natural disasters. The funds address pre-existing needs exacerbated by Hurricane Helene while laying an early foundation for future disaster assistance and long-term recovery efforts.

With CCC funding, USDA will allocate:

- $1.2 billion to support local food purchases with schools, child care facilities, food banks, and other institutions.

- $500 million to purchase domestic commodities for emergency food providers.

For local food support, USDA is providing $1.2 billion for purchases that will be integrated into meals at food banks, schools, and child care facilities over the coming year. This funding continues previous local food support efforts while creating new marketing opportunities for small- and mid-sized producers. Past funding has aided schools and food banks struggling to meet their recipients' needs.

Of this amount:

- $500 million will be available for states, territories, and Tribal nations to purchase local foods for emergency food providers.

- Another $500 million will allow school meal programs to make local purchases.

- For the first time, $200 million will be allocated specifically for child care facilities facing similar challenges as schools in purchasing food.

This builds on USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), both created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to supporting local foods, USDA is allocating $500 million to purchase domestic commodities for emergency food providers like food banks. This funding follows nearly $2 billion provided in 2022 and 2023. These investments ensure that no one in America goes without necessary nutrition while supporting American agriculture.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is focusing on more resilient local and regional food production; fairer markets; access to safe, healthy foods; building new income streams using climate-smart practices; historic infrastructure investments; clean energy capabilities in rural America; equity across the Department; removing systemic barriers; and building a representative workforce.

To learn more about these initiatives visit www.usda.gov.

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