This project will investigate and analyze the impact of the USDA's local food promotion program (USDA-LFPP) in supporting producers who desire to scale up their operations and successfully enter…

This project will investigate and analyze the impact of the USDA's local food promotion program (USDA-LFPP) in supporting producers who desire to scale up their operations and successfully enter wholesale markets. Wholesale refers to representing those intermediated markets involving a commercial aggregator and distributor assisting sales into grocery, restaurant, and institutional markets. The USDA LFPP aims to promote local and regional food systems, enhance access to fresh and healthy food, and stimulate economic opportunities for farmers and producers. This research aims to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of LFPP funding in assisting producers to transition and expand their presence in wholesale markets. The project will: 1)assess the extent to which USDA LFPP funding has facilitated producers' scale-up efforts to engage with wholesale markets, 2) identify and document the key factors and project innovations that have influenced the success of producers in transitioning to wholesale markets with the support of LFPP funding. 3) evaluate the economic and social funding impacts resulting from producers' participation in wholesale markets through LFPP assistance. 4) determine key limitations and challenges faced by producers in utilization of LFPP to expand their operations to wholesale markets. A. To explore the economic, logistical, regulatory, and market factors that restrict producers' ability to leverage LFPP assistance and expand in wholesale markets, B. Determine which of these intermediated markets are most easily accessible, and why. 5) provide recommendations for program improvement and future policy considerations to enhance the effectiveness of LFPP in supporting producers' expansion to wholesale markets. The federal agency will: 1. Advise the cooperator in developing the project and timeline, recommending changes to scope and content of ongoing reports and PR ojects, and reviewing all deliverables. 2. Provide input as appropriate throughout the project period. 3. Work with the cooperator to identify data sources, relevant research, and stakeholder contacts that may be useful. 4. Contribute to research activities as members of the project team. 5. Cooperate in attaining and providing data and disseminating relevant data summaries. 6. Assist the cooperator with current and potential stakeholders, reports, and other information as may be necessary for completion of the project. 7. Assist in the development of the data standards and in communicating them within the department and otherwise. 8. Serve as a connector between USDA partners and cooperator. The cooperator will: 1. Work with USDA-AMS and other stakeholders to complete the project in the defined timeline. 2. Keep the USDA-AMS apprised of all developments of the project. 3. Comply with all reporting and cooperative agreement guidelines. 4. Assess the extent to which USDA LFPP funding has facilitated producers' scale-up efforts to engage with wholesale markets. 5. Identify and document the key factors and project innovations that have influenced the success of producers in transitioning to wholesale markets with the support of LFPP funding. 6. Evaluate the economic and social funding impacts resulting from producers' participation in wholesale markets through LFPP assistance. 7. Determine key limitations and challenges faced by producers in utilization of LFPP to expand their operations to wholesale markets. 8. Assess the extent to which USDA LFPP funding has facilitated producers' scale-up efforts to engage with wholesale markets. 9. Identify and document the key factors and project innovations that have influenced the success of producers in transitioning to wholesale markets with the support of LFPP funding. 10. Evaluate the economic and social funding impacts resulting from producers' participation in wholesale markets through LFPP assistance. 11. Determine key limitations and challenges faced by producers in utilization of LFPP to expand their operations to wholesale markets. 12. In collaboration with the AMS, facilitate and coordinate all meetings, virtual and in-person.