Purchase and distribute local foodtargeting purchases from socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers

The south carolina department of agriculture is requesting fundingthrough a cooperative agreement with the united states department ofagriculture, agricultural marketing service under the local foodpurchase assistance program to facilitate the purchase and distributionof local foods within the state. South carolina department ofagriculture will work with a network of distributors and farmers toensure the purchase of local foods from rural and socially disadvantagedfarmers, as well as the distribution of local foods to underservedareas. South carolina department of agriculture will partner with thecatawba indian nation, the only federally recognized tribal nation insouth carolina, to further increase the impact of program funding and toreach members of the nation. Additionally, south carolina department ofagriculture will work with other third-partypartners to assist in thedevelopment and management of the program, as well as evaluation of theprogram's results. Quarterly performance reports will be submitted tocapture the number of producers, socially disadvantaged farmers andranchers, distribution sites, and underserved locations as well as fundsexpended for each category. Annual reports will provide percentages ofnew marketing opportunities and purchases distributed beyond currentfood distribution networks. Expected outcomes from this project includethe purchase of foods from at least 120 farmers, including at least 60SOCIALLY disadvantaged and rural farmers and ranchers, as well asdistribution to at least 24 counties of need. Additionally, we expect tofacilitate further market development for farmers that will be sustainedbeyond the funding period. Funds under this program will be provided todistributors as sub-awardees to carry out the functions of the program. These distributors will be responsible for sourcing the local foods, including determining purchase needs, contacting farmers, conductingpurchases, and physically obtaining the food. South carolina departmentof agriculture will determine individual budget amounts for each distributor based on their capacity to source and distribute food. We are also working with the catawba nation as a partner under thisprogram who will directly receive funding to purchase and distributefoods in their area.