LOCAL FOOD PURCHASE ASSISTANCE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROGRAM GRANT

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has received a total of $11,035,420 from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement Program: $5,491,119 was authorized in FY2022 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and an additional $5,544,301 was authorized in FY2023 from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). These additional funds extend the grant period to August 2025!

The LFPA program is authorized to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency, with additional priorities supporting Kentucky’s socially disadvantaged producers via:

  • Exclusive purchases of local and regional foods produced within the state (or within 400 miles of the delivery location);
  • Accepting a wide variety of products like fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood, dairy products, meat and poultry, eggs, etc. that are unprocessed or minimally processed;
  • Providing a platform for networking and economic opportunities intended to be sustained past the life of the grant; and
  • Promoting financial benefits for #1 or “first choice” products sold at their retail market value.
  • Additionally, the LFPA grant program encourages all distribution efforts to prioritize Kentuckians who are low-income or reside in underserved communities to increase their accessibility to healthy, nutritious, and local products. All LFPA purchases will be distributed without encumbrance or eligibility/qualifying requirements. 


AVAILABLE LFPA GRANT TRACKS:

Ready to participate? View the LFPA Kentucky Producer Guide linked under “Forms & Documents” to find each contractor’s eligibility requirements and details of what to expect in working with them!

FEEDING KENTUCKY 

INTEGRATING LOCAL FOODS INTO FEEDING KENTUCKY’S NETWORK OF FOOD BANKS 
In partnership with Feeding Kentucky, inc., KDA has awarded funds to form direct relationships with local and regional producers across the state who are interested in supporting their mission to end hunger. Their 7member food banks serve all 120 Kentucky counties through their extensive network of over 800 local food pantries and shelters. While produce items are eligible to be offered, Feeding Kentucky is prioritizing procurements of animal protein products (e.g., eggs, meat, etc.) To directly respond to the greatest needs of their communities.

MINIMUM PRODUCER REQUIREMENTS:

  • All meat products (e.g., beef, pork, poultry, lamb, etc.) must be processed by a USDA certified processing facility under inspection, with the applicable stamp/seal.

FROZEN MEALS- GOD'S PANTRY FOOD BANK

PROVIDING FAMILIES QUICK, NUTRITIOUS MEALS MADE FROM LOCAL PRODUCTS 
KDA has awarded funds to purchase local foods for the purpose of creating and delivering nutritious meals (individual- and family-sized portions) to underserved communities throughout God’s Pantry’s service area through their network of community distribution partners. God’s Pantry Food Bank serves 50 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky in partnership with more than 500 food pantries and meal programs. GP will purchase a variety of produce, meats, eggs and dairy products from local producers that will be processed into meals at Freestore's facility. 

MINIMUM PRODUCER REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Meat Products: All meat products (e.g., beef, pork, poultry, lamb, etc.) must be processed by a USDA certified processing facility under inspection, with the applicable stamp/seal. 
  • Produce Products: Farms must have a complete on-farm food safety plan/program AND
      • At least one owner/manager of farm must have successfully completed the FSMA/PSA Grower Training OR
      • Farm is GAP, Harmonized GAP or Harmonized GAP Plus+ certified, maintained by a yearly USDA-approved GAP audit service.

FOOD BOXES

DISTRIBUTION FOOD BOXES, EXCLUSIVELY CONTAINING LOCAL PRODUCTS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH 
KDA has entered into agreements with 4 agricultural and food distribution organizations to bring local food boxes to the underserved communities of the state and provide producers will commercial/third-party market pathways to grow their businesses. Distributions may occur weekly, monthly or seasonally (based on the vendor) and in various priority areas. 


CREATION GARDENS DBA WHAT CHEFS WANT!

What Chefs Want! with the support from several Kentucky-based partner organizations will create pathway(s) for local producers into larger, wholesale markets. WCW will aggregate and distribute weekly local food boxes to underserved communities statewide. Produce, meat and dairy products are eligible to be offered, along with unprocessed/minimally processed value-added products made with locally sourced ingredients.

MINIMUM PRODUCER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Meat Products: All meat products (e.g., beef, pork, poultry, lamb, etc.) must be processed by a USDA certified processing facility under inspection, with the applicable stamp/seal.
  • Produce Products: 
      • At least one owner/manager of farm must have successfully completed the FSMA/Produce Safety alliance grower training AND have completed/are scheduled to complete a free, voluntary on-site food safety inspection conducted by KDA's Produce Safety team OR
      • Farm is GAP, Harmonized GAP or Harmonized GAP Plus+ certified, maintained by a yearly USDA-approved GAP audit service.


WCW! has built partnerships to expand the reach of their food box program with the following organizations, who are conducting food procurements and targeted distributions:

BLACK SOIL KY (LEXINGTON, KY)

Established in 2017, Black Soil: Our BetterNature is a female and minority-owned business that invests in Black farming operations, culinary businesses and other agritourism activities. For the purposes of LFPA, they are expanding their vendor relationships even further to onboard other eligible socially disadvantaged producers into their network. Distributions are occurring across various partnering and social service organizations in Lexington, KY.

MINIMUM PRODUCER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Meat Products: All meat products (e.g., beef, pork, poultry, lamb, etc.) must be processed by a USDA certified processing facility under inspection, with the applicable stamp/seal.
  • Produce Products: At least one owner/manager of farm must have successfully completed the FSMA/Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training OR Farm is USDA GAP, Harmonized GAP or Harmonized GAP Plus+ certified, maintained by a yearly USDA-approved GAP audit service.


LOCALS FOOD HUB (FRANKFORT, KY)

Locals Food Hub & Pizza Pub was developed to support their community’s access to locally procured, nutrient-rich foods and to provide consistent, viable markets to local farmers and producers for their goods. Locals opened its doors in July 2021 with a unique business model combining both a locally sourced restaurant with a retail grocery market that only sources from Kentucky producers. Locals has developed a supply chain of over 120 Kentucky producers across 20 counties. Distributions currently serve the Frankfort and Louisville, KY areas.

MINIMUM PRODUCER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Meat Products: All meat products (e.g., beef, pork, poultry, lamb, etc.) must be processed by a USDA certified processing facility under inspection, with the applicable stamp/seal.
  • Produce Products: At least one owner/manager of farm must have successfully completed the FSMA/Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training OR Farm is USDA GAP, Harmonized GAP or Harmonized GAP Plus+ certified, maintained by a yearly USDA-approved GAP audit service.


NEED MORE ACRES FARM (SCOTTSVILLE, KY)

Need More Acres (NMA) is a full-time farm located in Scottsville, Kentucky. Together with over 30 other agriculture producers, NMA provides year-round distribution of 100% locally sourced fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy to consumers and institutions. NMA is committed to working with community partners that support equitable purchasing and distribution of locally grown foods. LFPA will allow NMA to expand this work to include additional farmers and distribution sites in South Central Kentucky. 

MINIMUM PRODUCER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Meat Products: All meat products (e.g., beef, pork, poultry, lamb, etc.) must be processed by a USDA certified processing facility under inspection, with the applicable stamp/seal. 
  • Produce Products: Farms must fit into either option:
      • Farm must have a complete on-farm food safety plan/program OR
      • At least one owner/manager of farm must have successfully completed the FSMA/PSA Grower Training and have a documented on-farm audit conducted by KDA and/or and equivalent third-party audit service OR
      • Farm is GAP, Harmonized GAP or Harmonized GAP Plus+ certified, maintained by a yearly USDA-approved GAP audit service.


CENTRAL KENTUCKY GROWERS ASSOCIATION

Central Kentucky Growers in Georgetown, KY has received funding from KDA to buy produce and fresh proteins from producers in the state. These items will be boxed in the facility and distributed to food banks and nonprofit agencies in the Eastern KY area.

MINIMUM PRODUCER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Meat Products: All meat products (e.g., beef, pork, poultry, lamb, etc.) must be processed by a USDA certified processing facility under inspection, with the applicable stamp/seal.
  • Produce Products: Farms must fit into either option:
      • Farm must have a complete on-farm food safety plan/program OR
      • At least one owner/manager of farm must have successfully completed the FSMA/PSA Grower Training and have a documented on-farm audit conducted by KDA and/or and equivalent third-party audit service OR
      • Farm is GAP, Harmonized GAP or Harmonized GAP Plus+ certified, maintained by a yearly USDA-approved GAP audit service.


    FOODCHAIN, INC. (LEXINGTON, KY)

    FoodChain is a non-profit located in Fayette County that serves as a link between their community and fresh food by providing access to fresh, local ingredients alongside complementary educational programming. Additionally, they demonstrate the importance of sustainable food systems through their indoor aquaponics farm that grows fish and veggies year-round. The LFPA will provide additional funding to expand the meal kit delivery program in Fayette Co. to include more local produce, protein, eggs and dairy from producers who have the capability to deliver to the Lexington area.

    MINIMUM PRODUCER REQUIREMENTS:

    • Meat Products: All meat products (e.g., beef, pork, lamb, etc.) must be processed by a USDA certified processing facility under inspection, with the applicable stamp/seal. Poultry may be processed under USDA inspection or at a state-permitted, exempt processing facility. 
    • Produce Products: Farms must have a complete on-farm food safety plan/program. 


    HOMEGROWN DIRECT, LLC

    HomeGrown Direct, located in Georgetown, KY, will purchase produce and proteins from producers in the state. These items will be boxed in the facility and distributed throughout the central, northern and southern KY areas.

    MINIMUM PRODUCER REQUIREMENTS:

    • Meat Products: All meat products (e.g., beef, pork, lamb, etc.) must be processed by a USDA certified processing facility under inspection, with the applicable stamp/seal. Poultry may be processed under USDA inspection or at a state-permitted, exempt processing facility.
    • Produce Products: Farm must have a complete on-farm food safety plan/program AND
        • At least one owner/manager of farm must have successfully completed the FSMA/PSA Grower Training OR
        • Farm is GAP, Harmonized GAP or Harmonized GAP Plus+ certified, maintained by a yearly USDA-approved GAP audit service.