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

The purpose of the award is to maintain and improve florida�s food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. The state will administer the local food purchase assistance program funds through a competitive grant program allowing food banks, nonprofits, and other social service organizations to apply for a portion of the florida local food purchase assistance funds. Florida department of agriculture and consumer services is requesting cooperative funds to partner with local organizations and purchase local, domestic food from florida�s farmers, specifically targeting socially disadvantaged producers. These nutritious florida products will then be distributed to rural, remote, and/or underserved communities. This will benefit farmers and producers by creating new and innovative marketing opportunities (e.g., new markets for grade b/number 2 products), providing greater economic stability for the state's food producers. 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. The goal is to tailor food distribution for unique local challenges to serve the population and feeding programs, including food banks, and other organizations that target underserved communities. Intended beneficiaries are local and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers and underserved communities that are not part of the normal food distribution network. The recipient plans to subaward funds to local organization, food banks, non-profits, food pantries and farmers.