Brown Co-Leads Letter to USDA Supporting Local Food Purchasing Program

Washington D.C.—Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11)co-led a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encouraging a continuation of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) for which funding is set to expire in April 2025. 

The letter was co-led by Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo M.D (CO-08) and Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), signed by 48 members of the House of Representatives, and expressed support for the LFPA program as Farm Bill negotiations continue.

The Local Food Purchase Assistance program uses cooperative agreements with states, Tribal governments, and territories to support the procurement and distribution of locally and regionally grown foods to increase nutritious offerings in food access programs. Nationally, the USDA has entered into over 80 cooperative agreements and supported more than 6,000 unique farmers and producers. The letter noted that in Ohio alone, more than $11 million has been spent with nearly 180 producers. The Ohio CAN program includes 5 regional food hubs and aggregators to distribute locally produced food to 12 Feeding America food banks.

“As Farm Bill negotiations continue, we are committed to seeking a path through the Farm Bill that codifies and authorizes more funding for the LFPA,” wrote the lawmakers. “However, currently, these funds are set to expire in April 2025 and some states have fully allocated their current funds. 

“Without further funding, our farmers and producers are left unable to properly plan for the upcoming seasons and our local partners are scrambling to fill gaps in funding.”

“As the Farm Bill continues to be negotiated, we urge the USDA to explore funding solutions that will allow this program to continue without pause to support the diverse small to midsize farmers that have been providing local products to their communities.”

For the full letter, click here.

###