In 2021, USDA launched the $900M Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Program, a key step in transforming food systems, with participation from every state. Of this, $691M funds were directly invested in farmers, producing a $1.53B local economic impact!

LFPA GOALS

Implement bold, systemic solutions to enhance food security and combat hunger.
Foster resilient food supply chains and equitable food systems through trust-building and sustainable relationships.
Strengthen native foodways and local supply chains by investing in new, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers.

WHAT’S WORKING WELL?

The LFPA Program is uniquely tailored to the specific needs and assets of each community.
Key features include:

A cooperative agreement model offering flexibility in procurement approaches across states.
Empowerment of tribal and local governments to administer the program and equitably select implementation partners.
Diverse partnerships leveraging existing relationships with food hubs, food banks, farms, schools, nonprofits, hospitals and early childhood education programs, demonstrating significant impact.
A community of practice established to support production, address gaps and inform future program iterations.

NEVADA - HOME FEEDS NEVADA

Nevada Department of Agriculture’s producer network and state food banks distributed over 2 million pounds of fresh food to food-insecure families through $3.5M in funding with 20+ producers. Nevada Department of Agriculture’s leadership in logistics ensured success, promoting local agriculture, food security and a resilient food system despite the absence of a food hub.

NORTH CAROLINA

The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association launched FarmsSHARE in 2020 and expanded it in 2021-2022. It now forms the basis of North Carolina's LFPA Program.
Fourteen food hubs collaborate with the association, aggregating food from around 120 sustainable farms in North Carolina into CSA-like food boxes.
These hubs partner with assistance organizations and community-based groups to distribute food boxes to people facing food insecurity. The association's network and FarmsSHARE pilot made it a key partner for North Carolina’s LFPA Program.

MINNESOTA

Minnesota’s LFPA Program is hosted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and, focuses on socially disadvantaged farmers.
Food is distributed at no cost to underserved communities statewide.
Funded though $3.4 million distributed as minigrants to deliver food directly to pantries or networks, and $3.1 million is still available for a second round of funding, with previous applicants eligible to reapply.
Farmers and organizations can apply through a competitive process with a 70% acceptance rate.

ALASKA

Alaska’s LFPA Program awarded 419 subgrants in 2022 and 220 in 2021.
Subgrants targeted food-insecure areas and aimed to increase community food security.
Recipients must provide a 10% cost match and distribute food for free.
Repeat awards to the same grantees are not allowed, ensuring broader program reach.

Malik, S; Katrzhyan, H 2025, Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program, University of Nevada, Reno Extension, FS-25-13

Printable Version (PDF)

Extension Associated Contacts

Sabina Malik

Also of Interest:


Fall Vegetable Production On Small Acreage in Desert Climates Costs and Returns, 2012 This publication presents sample costs and returns to produce fall vegetables on small acreages in Nevada. It is intended to be a guide, used to make production decisions, determine potential returns and prepare business and marketing plans. Bishop, C. 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-12-
Attracting Vendors and Customers to Rural Farmers Markets This fact sheet offers strategies to attract and keep vendors and customers at rural farmers markets. Learn more about the vendor focus, increasing customers, the importance of marketing, and plan evaluations through detailed descriptions of each. Meier, A. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-18
Developing Farmers’ Market Volunteers (2008) This fact sheet offers strategies that can be applied to develop and retain a farmers’ market volunteer base. Learn about the importance of recruiting volunteers and the strategies to correctly do so. Meier, A. 2008, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-08-48
Assessing farmers’ willingness to participate in water banking: A case study This paper examines potential barriers to water banking as a tool to manage scarce water resources in the western United States. The paper outlines the concept of water banking to manage the dispute and discusses the results of a survey to assess local farmers' willingness to par... Singletary, L & Narayanan, R. 2003, Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 9(3), 127–135
Nevada's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program: 13 Years of Evolution Nevada has a dynamic and evolving group of beginning farmers and ranchers that have been assisted by the University of Nevada, Reno Extension service with support from the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Beginning Farmer and Ra... Emm, S., Bishop, C. & Chichester, L. 2024, Journal of NACAA, VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2, ISSN 2158-9429

Associated Programs

Healthy Food Systems

The Healthy Food Systems Program works to increase access to and knowledge about healthy foods within the community through direct education and policy, systems, and environmental changes. The program focuses on local food production, food preparation and processing, nutrition, and food security to successfully educate the community on how food systems influence health.

Food Systems

Explore Nevada’s food systems from farm to table. Learn about local production, processing, access, consumption, and recovery through Extension programs.

Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program