DIVISION OF FOOD DISTRIBUTION
The Division of Food Distribution contributes to the nutritional well being of the citizens of Kentucky by distributing USDA commodities to eligible recipient agencies.
LFS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is excited to offer your school district the opportunity to participate in the $3.2M Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS). Funds were made available during the first quarter of 2023 and must be used by April 30, 2025. This program has allowed Food Service Directors to establish new relationships with producers and/or strengthen the relationships already established within your communities. Examples of allowable food products include fruits and vegetables (including 100% juices); grain products such as pasta and rice; meats (whole, pieces, or food items such as ground meats); meat alternates such as beans or legumes, and fluid milk and other dairy foods such as cheese and yogurt. Foods in a wide variety of minimal processing states (e.g., whole, cut, pureed, etc.) and/or forms (e.g., fresh, frozen, canned, dried, etc.) are also allowable. KDA has allocated individual schools LFS funds based on a calculation of meal count numbers per district. Interested producers click here to receive more information on LFS.
CHILD NUTRITION COMMODITY PROGRAM
The Division of Food Distribution coordinates the distribution of commodities to more than 1,300 public, and private nonprofit schools and residential childcare institutions that provide meals to students. The Child Nutrition Commodity Program supports American agricultural producers by providing cash reimbursements for meals served in schools, but also by providing nutritious, USDA-purchased food. USDA Foods is valued at over $33 million a year for 195 school systems, serving over 400,000 students daily. Over $7 million is used to purchase fresh produce through the Department of Defense to assist in providing fresh fruits and vegetables to Kentucky students and to assist in fighting the obesity issues faced by school children.
COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a program administered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for Kentucky residents. The program supplements the diets of participants by providing generous monthly packages of food carefully selected to provide broad nutritious food for a well-balanced diet, as well as nutritional education and information to enable our clients to enjoy healthier eating habits and healthier lives. Over $6.9 million of food is made available to approximately 35,259 senior citizens at 118 locations across the state.
the EMERGENCY FEEDING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Emergency Feeding Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans by providing them with healthful foods at no cost. Under TEFAP, commodity foods are made available to local agencies for distribution to needy households for use in preparing meals for home consumption, or to organizations that prepare and provide meals for the needy. Recipients of food for home use must meet program eligibility criteria set by the State.
FARM TO SCHOOL
We at KDA are committed to our farmers and our communities. Our goal is to bring together the freshness and high quality of our Kentucky Proud products and schools. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the youth of Kentucky and feels by supporting the Farm to School program will allow kids to grow into healthier adults who are educated about local food production and who demand local products.
LOCAL FOOD PURCHASE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROGRAM GRANT
KDA has received $11 million from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service for the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement Program. The LFPA program is designed to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. Funds will help build and expand economic opportunity for local and socially disadvantaged producers through equitable practices and provide local foods accessibility to our state’s low-income and underserved communities. Click here to visit the LFPA grant program page.
SENIOR FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM
The purpose of the Kentucky Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SrFMNP) is to gain market access for farmers as well as improve the nutrition of low-income families by providing them with better access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Funding for Kentucky's program comes from federal and state resources. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) serves as the lead agency for Senior FMNP. The low-income seniors are provided with $50 to purchase fresh, unprocessed, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs at State-approved farmers' markets. The Senior FMNP provides an additional est. $475,000 to Kentucky farmers each year.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. See disclaimer.