Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will establish non-competitive cooperative agreements with state government agencies involved in food procurement or administering the National School Lunch Program for the purpose of supporting local producers, small business, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers. State governments will purchase domestic food from local and regional producers, target purchases from small and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers, and distribute the food to schools. These cooperative agreements will allow for states to procure local, domestic foods that are unique to their geographic area and meet the needs of their schools. In addition to increasing local food consumption, funds are expected to help build and expand economic opportunity for small business, and local and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers.