DATCP has signed a $2.94 million cooperative agreement with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to create the Wisconsin Local Food Purchasing Agreement Program. The new program aims to strengthen local and regional food systems, support Wisconsin farmers, and distribute fresh nutritious foods to underserved communities.
“We are excited for this partnership and this opportunity to provide our state’s farmers with new markets, and nutritious food to those experiencing food insecurity,” says DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “The connections and partnerships made through this program will help build a more resilient food supply chain that will last well into the future.”
DATCP will work collaboratively with producers, distributors, food security organizations, and tribal partners to provide program development, coordinate transportation and logistics, and procure food from local producers.
The following organizations will utilize funding to:
- Marbleseed will provide producer education and technical assistance as well as offer $1.5 million in grants for farmers to provide food to underserved communities.
- Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative will support the strategic movement of food around the state and engage aggregation businesses.
- Wisconsin Farmers Union will work to further develop Wisconsin’s local food network of farmers, local food businesses, food security partners, and non-profit organizations by organizing online resources and mapping local food system partners.
DATCP will hold an informational webinar on Nov. 21 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m to discuss the program and how businesses and organizations can contribute.
Registration for the webinar is required: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/AgDevelopment/LocalFoodPurchasingAgreement.aspx
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