The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an investment of $1.7 billion for the purchase of locally and regionally produced foods, and domestically produced for emergency food assistance.
The investments have been made possible by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), and will help American producers by ensuring they have the certainty of access to local and regional markets as well as the financial benefits that come with selling directly to institutions.
The investment will be used to support farmers, while also ensuring that American children and families have access to healthy foods at schools, child care facilities and emergency food providers.
The funding builds on previously provided local food support and creates new marketing opportunities for small and mid sized producers and food businesses.
It adds to USDA’s operating programmes: Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), which were both created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to strengthen relationships between producers and their communities.
The funding also responds to pre-existing needs that Hurricane Helene has since exacerbated and provides an early foundation for future disaster assistance and long-term recovery efforts.
USDA will provide $1.2 billion to support local food purchases with schools, child care facilities, food banks, and other institutions.
The further $500 million will be used to purchase domestic commodities for emergency food providers.
Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack said: “By delivering food from domestic producers to schools, child care facilities and emergency feeding organisations, we’re securing local and regional markets for those farmers.
“These types of investments keep local economies strong and help build resilient food systems with lasting impact.”
The continued investment in allowing for local buying will let producers to expand, invest in infrastructure, support resilient regional food systems, while providing healthy products to food recipients.
