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

The georgia department of education will utilize local food for schools program funds to increase purchasing of local foods for distribution to schools by establishing a pilot program that will model expansion of economic opportunities that ensure distribution of fresh and nutritious foods in underserved communities of georgia. Local food for schools program funds will be utilized to increase purchases of georgia grown foods, provide minimally processed georgia grown products to schools to alleviate stated challenges of school food authorities when receiving georgia grown crops directly from farmers, distribute food throughout georgia to underserved communities. 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. Georgia's local food for schools program will benefit socially disadvantaged farmers, small businesses, and school food authorities in underserved communities of georgia. Georgia department of education is uniquely positioned to direct local food for schools purchased food to identified school food authorities that OPT into the local food for schools pilot program. The estimated reach is around 700 ,000 georgia students. Local food for schools will be a large component of ensuring that all georgia students have equitable access to nutritious local food, a key to success. The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.