Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS)

Background
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications from state governments for the Local Food for Schools (LFS) Program. The goal will be to establish cooperative agreements with state governments for the purpose of purchasing domestic, locally grown foods from local producers, small businesses, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers for distribution to schools. Up to $200 million is available from funds authorized under section 5(c) of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 USC 714c(c)). AMS encourages applications that benefit both small businesses and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers and provides food distribution to schools.

Grant Details
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will establish cooperative agreements with state governments for the purpose of supporting local, regional, small, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers through food purchasing. State governments will purchase food from local and regional farmers/producers, targeting small businesses and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers.

These cooperative agreements will allow for states to procure local, domestic foods that are unique to their geographic area and meet the needs of their schools. In addition to increasing local food consumption, funds are expected to help build and expand economic opportunity for local, small, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers.

USDA will provide the state government funding for food purchases as well as guidance, technical assistance, instruction, and monitoring throughout the life cycle of the cooperative agreement.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible entities include the state agencies, commissions, or departments that are responsible for agriculture, procurement, food distribution, emergency response, administration of the National School Lunch Program, or similar activities within the state.

AMS will make only one award per state or territory; agencies within the state must coordinate if more than one agency wishes to implement this program.

Eligible beneficiaries of purchases include those involved in the production and distribution of local domestic food. Contracts shall be awarded to farmers, producers, processors, or distributors of local domestic product that meet the definition of a local or regional producer as defined in 1.2.1.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for the Cooperative Agreements will be one year from the time of award.

Grant Value
The total funding available for the program is up to $200 million.