Purchase and distribute local food targeting purchases from socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers

The mississippi department of agriculture and commerce will partner with the three feeding america affiliated food banks that together service all 82 counties in the state of mississippi. Mississippi department of agriculture and commerce will subcontract with each of the food banks to procure locally produced food, including foods purchased from socially disadvantaged farmers, and distribute the food to identified underserved communities through their networks of existing and new agency partners created as a result of the project. Quarterly performance reports will be submitted to capture the number of producers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, distribution sites, and underserved locations as well as funds expended for each category. Annual reports will provide percentages of new marketing opportunities and purchases distributed beyond current food distribution networks. Beneficiaries of the project include mississippi?S socially disadvantaged farmers, additional local farmers and ranchers, processed food producers, as well as the population in underserved communities. IT is expected that food purchased from 30 farmers, food producers, and cooperatives with 33 percent being socially disadvantaged will be distributed at 50 locations in the state. The dollar amount subcontracted to each of the food banks will be based upon their level of funding for the emergency food assistance program in their service areas. The food banks will both procure and distribute the food using their delivery method in place, or they will subcontract with a food consolidator or distributor to handle the procurement and distribution. These food banks have experience in food distribution, including knowledge of food safety and handling, and capacity to store and manage food inventory. These food banks have an established food distribution network work with multiple partner agencies across the state that are currently engaged in food distribution to underserved communities.