The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that helps states source local foods from historically underserved producers and provide local foods to underserved communities. The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) administers these funds through competitive grants for stakeholders across the food supply chain.
About the program
The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) uses competitive agreements to provide federal funding — from the American Rescue Plan Act and Commodity Credit Corporation — for Colorado to purchase foods produced within the state or within 400 miles of the delivery destination to help support local, regional, and historically underserved producers.
The purpose of the program is to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. It allows the state to procure and distribute local and regional foods and beverages that are healthy, nutritious, unique to their geographic areas and that meet the needs of the population. The food serves feeding programs, including food banks and organizations that reach underserved communities. All foods purchased from local producers with LFPA funds are distributed to underserved communities at no cost.
In addition to increasing local food consumption, the funds help build and expand economic opportunity for local and historically underserved producers.
Colorado has been awarded approximately $12 million in LFPA funding, which is anticipated to be spent by fall 2025. CDHS will publish another call for proposals should any additional funds remain.
Note: On March 7, the USDA rescinded an additional $5.5 million of funding that would have extended the program until 2028.
Data
Reports
- LFPA Annual Report 2024 (Word doc)
- LFPA Annual Report 2024 (PDF)
Historically underserved: Groups of people who are identified in Farm Bill legislation and USDA policy as having faced discrimination or inadequate support in federal policies and programs. The USDA defines four categories of Historically Underserved farmers and ranchers: Beginning Farmers or Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers, Veteran Farmers or Ranchers, and Limited Resource Farmers or Ranchers.
Local food: Food that is grown, raised and processed within 400 miles of where it will be distributed. All foods purchased with LFPA funds must meet these criteria.
Minimally processed foods: Foods that are only processed to extend their shelf life and aid in their distribution. Examples include ground, pureed, frozen or canned foods. Food purchased with the original LFPA funds from the American Rescue Plan Act could be processed; however, foods purchased with Commodity Credit Corporation funds, including any future funding, are expected to be minimally processed.
Underserved communities: According to the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, which was signed by President Joe Biden on Jan. 20, 2021, underserved communities are “populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life."
Contact information
David Dingus, Local Food Purchase and Resilience Project Lead
david.dingus@state.co.us