Purchase local food targeting purchases from small businesses and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, for distribution to schools

The alabama department of agriculture and industries will purchase food directly from farmers and will coordinate the logistics of getting the food from the farm to 1) aggregation and storage facilities, and 2) directly to the most needed schools in alabama. Alabama department of agriculture and industries will work with the alabama state department of education to determine which school systems are most in need. We anticipate relationships created thru local food for schools will continue after local food for schools agreement is completed as we hope our schools will have developed relationships and realize the value of fresh, local foods. Our goal is that by making the connections of the farmer to the distributor who is already going to the school these should be sustainable relationships that could last. Therefore, of the 80% of socially disadvantaged farmers we will be working with, we are hopeful more than 60% of these relationships continue after this grant is completed. Alabama department of agriculture and industries hopes to connect socially disadvantaged farmers to new schools they haven't sold to before in hope they will develop a lasting relationship for years to come. Quarterly performance reports will be submitted to capture the number of producers, small businesses and socially disadvantaged farmers and producers, dollar value of purchases, and type of food purchased. Annual reports will provide percentages of new marketing opportunities established by purchasing from local and regional farmers and producers, socially disadvantaged farmers and producers, and small businesses. Alabama department of agriculture and industries will purchase food from more than 42 farmers and coordinate the delivery of food to the underserved schools throughout alabama. Products will be delivered to the schools designated by the alabama state department of education throughout alabama. This grant is an important step in helping child nutrition professionals continue without interruption due to supply chain issues. This would provide a healthy, viable, and sustainable avenue for all school systems in elevating the type of meal served to be nutritious while supporting alabama farmers. The recipient plans to subaward funds to local farmers, distributors, and schools that have a high rate of free and reduced students' meals but are not served by any of the produce distributors listed.