The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) was awarded a $5,031,473 cooperative agreement under the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service's Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement Program.

Funds are being used to purchase and distribute Kansas grown and processed foods to underserved communities and families across Kansas.

KDA is working to develop a network of producers, establish a tiered purchasing standard that gives preference to socially disadvantaged and beginning producers to expand their businesses, and ensure that food purchased by the grant is widely distributed across Kansas in rural and urban communities impacted by food insecurity.

The Kansas Local Food Purchase Assistance Program provides expanded wholesale market access to producers in the program. Producers are able to grow their capacity by creating a strong foundation of wholesale sales.

What is the timeline of the Kansas Local Food Purchase Assistance Program?

Purchases will be made by the food banks at their discretion until the allocated funds are spent or December 31, 2024, whichever comes first.

What types of products will be purchased? Is it limited to fresh produce?

Products eligible for sale under the Kansas Local Food Purchase Assistance Program include produce, dairy, meat, eggs, honey, and processed foods. Products must be produced local to Kansas to be eligible for sale under the program.

What is the definition of “local”?

Local means food that is raised, produced, aggregated, processed, and distributed within the state of Kansas or in an immediate bordering county. Food must also meet the requirements of the definition of “domestic food.”

What is the definition of “domestic”?

Domestic means food that is grown, processed, and otherwise prepared for sale or distribution exclusively in the United States except with respect to minor ingredients. Ingredients from nondomestic sources will be allowed to be utilized as a United States product if such ingredients are not otherwise: (1) produced in the United States; and (2) commercially available in the United States at fair and reasonable prices from domestic sources.

Purchase preference will be given to socially disadvantaged producers. Who is considered a socially disadvantaged producer?

For the purpose of this program, “socially disadvantaged” is a farmer or rancher who is a member of a Socially Disadvantaged Group. A Socially Disadvantaged Group is a group whose members have been subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and, where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.

Do I need a license with the Kansas Department of Agriculture to participate in the program?

If you currently do not have a license but it is determined you need one under Kansas regulations, the Kansas Department of Agriculture will work with you to ensure you come under compliance. You will not be disqualified from the program if you currently do not have the proper licensure. More information about the different license types can be found at https://agriculture.ks.gov/kda-services/licensing-guides.