Through the Local Food Purchase Agreement, the Arkansas Department of Human Service, Division of Child Care and Early Childcare Education Commodity Distribution Unit will partner with food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and other distributors within the local food distribution and network to order domestic food from local and regional producers. The partnership will target socially disadvantaged farmers/producers, with the intent to distribute to underserved communities in Arkansas. Fresh and processed products will be available to our underserved communities through these partners year-round. These products will be distributed in conjunction with USDA Household Programs as well as available through other food distribution sites.
The additional funding provided through the LFPA Plus grant will increase the food availability to underserved areas. After Trade Mitigation and the various COVID foods made available to the program, TEFAP distributions are seeing a decrease in food available to eligible participants. More so in underserved areas of the State. The availability of the two LFPA grants will strengthen the relationship between local socially disadvantaged farmers/producers and the agencies that distribute to underserved areas of the State. The State continues to market this program to socially disadvantaged farmers/producers as more opportunities become available. The State foresees the relationship to continue past the end date of the grants by assisting local socially disadvantaged farmers in the marketing of their product. The State plans on providing video interviews of these farmers/producers for promotional purposes.