USDA announces Washington state local food purchase assistance cooperative agreement

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has signed a cooperative agreement with Washington state under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program.

Through the program, the Washington State Department of Agriculture seeks to purchase and distribute locally grown, produced and processed food from underserved producers, according to a news release.

“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,” USDA Undersecretary 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.”

Through the program, the state will spend over $3 million to purchase food directly from local and regional farmers and producers, the release said. At least 63% of the food will be procured from underserved producers and, of the 500 anticipated food distribution sites, 90% or more will serve underserved communities. About 25% of the funding will be set aside for tribes and tribal organizations, the release said.

The program is authorized by the American Rescue Plan to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. Through this program, USDA will award up to $400 million through noncompetitive cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments to support local, regional and underserved producers through the purchase of food produced within the state or within 400 miles of delivery destination.

More information about the program is available on AMS’ Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program webpage.