Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA25)

The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA25) is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). This program provides funding to state, territory, and federally recognized Tribal governments to expand food procurement and distribution systems that support local agricultural producers and underserved communities. LFPA25 builds on previous LFPA and LFPA Plus initiatives, offering an opportunity for new and returning participants to strengthen local food systems, prioritize purchases from historically underserved producers, and enhance food access in communities that lack reliable distribution networks. The primary objectives of LFPA25 include purchasing local, domestic, unprocessed, or minimally processed foods from producers, fishers, and small businesses, with a strong focus on historically underserved groups. These groups include beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, veteran producers, and limited-resource producers. Purchased foods must meet the program's definition of local, meaning they originate within the state, tribal region, or a 400-mile radius of the delivery point. Distribution must target underserved communities as defined under Executive Order 13985, which emphasizes advancing racial equity and economic inclusion. LFPA25 allocates up to $471.5 million in funding, with $371.5 million set aside for states and territories based on The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) formula, which considers poverty and unemployment levels. An additional $100 million is allocated to Tribal governments, divided into $50 million for Tribes that previously participated in LFPA programs and $50 million for Tribes new to the initiative. Funds are awarded non-competitively through cooperative agreements and may only be used for food procurement, including storage and distribution costs rolled into the final food purchase price. Eligible recipients include state, territory, and federally recognized Tribal governments responsible for agriculture, procurement, food distribution, or emergency response. States may only receive one award, while Tribal governments are eligible for separate awards. Recipients can partner with public or private organizations to assist with project implementation, including food purchasing, handling, and distribution. Beneficiaries must include local producers, fishers, processors, and underserved communities. Recipients must maintain compliance with federal regulations, including reporting requirements and procurement standards. Returning recipients must submit a project summary to the USDA by April 30, 2025, using the LFPA25 Project Summary template. The submission must outline project goals, describe planned activities, include a detailed budget, and identify expected outcomes, such as the number of producers and distribution locations to be supported. New recipients must also submit Form SF-424, Form SF-424A, and a Certification Regarding Lobbying form through Grants.gov. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Reporting requirements include quarterly financial and performance reports detailing purchases, producer participation, and food distribution outcomes. Reports must demonstrate progress toward program goals and provide both qualitative and quantitative data to assess program effectiveness. Final performance and financial reports are required at the project’s conclusion. The program’s performance period is three years, with flexibility for earlier project completion. LFPA25 supports the USDA’s broader mission to improve food security, support local economies, and strengthen the resilience of food supply chains by fostering long-term relationships between local producers and underserved communities.