Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Agriculture

Nikki Fried Announces Local Food Cooperative Agreement with USDA to Support Underserved Producers

Last week, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced the signing of a $24.8 million cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA).

The program provides grant funds to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Food, Nutrition, and Wellness (FNW) to purchase and distribute locally grown, produced, and processed food from underserved producers.

“This influx of federal funds will allow Florida farmers and producers to build sustainable and resilient market opportunities, with an emphasis on small and underserved producers,” said Fried. “By finding new opportunities for our producers, we are expanding our food distribution network to reach underserved communities and adapt to local challenges. I want to thank the USDA for this partnership as we take another step to reduce food insecurity and create a stronger food network for all Floridians.”

FDACS will use the $24.8 million grant to maintain and improve Florida’s food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. The new program will focus on fostering long-term and in-state relationships, with an emphasis on small and underserved producers, to create sustainable market opportunities for state producers and increase the amount of product distributed to underserved populations outside the normal food distribution network. By empowering local producers, the program will connect food banks, food pantries, and other hunger-based organizations with new food sources to address the unique food insecurity issues in their communities. The LFPA program, authorized by the American Rescue Plan and administered by the USDA, is awarding funding through non-competitive 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.

Author

  • Florida Daily

    Florida Daily offers news, insights and analysis as we cover the most important issues in the state, from education, to business and politics.

    View all posts

Share Story Via Text, E-Mail, Facebook or Twitter

Follow Us on Social Media

Related Stories

Most Recent

At a recent meeting, Florida Democratic Party leaders contemplated how a direct hit from a major hurricane could bankrupt the state-run property insurance company,...

Florida Politics

The Florida Democratic Party (FDP) chairwoman praised President Joe Biden‘s recent executive action to limit border entries. Biden’s policy caps the number of migrants...

Elections

Keen defeated Booth by a margin of 590 votes. Though the district is considered a swing district, Republicans were in a better position to...

Florida Politics

At a meeting in Orlando over the past weekend, the Florida Democratic Party chose former state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried to lead the party....

Elections

Former state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said on Monday that she wants to be the next chair of the Florida Democratic Party. After the...

Florida Politics

At the end of last week, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the voluntary dismissal of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer...

Crime

This week, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried called on Gov. Ron DeSantis to pardon those convicted of simple marijuana possession....

Florida Politics

State Sen. Geri Thompson, D-Orlando, announced last week that she will file a bill to offer more oversight and inspections of amusement rides in...