On March 7, 2025, pursuant to 2 CFR § 200.341, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), received written notification that the subject agreement between the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS) and MDAR for the Local Food Purchase Assistance 2025 Program (LFPA25) will be terminated 60 days from March 7, 2025’s date in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.340(a)(4) and the terms and conditions of the award. AMS has determined that LFPA25 no longer effectuates federal agency priorities, and that termination of the funds is appropriate. Termination letters for the LFPA25 program have been received by state agencies across the country.
In accordance with UDSA-AMS’s notification, MDAR will not be providing LFPA25 programming in 2025. All current LFPA Plus awards will continue until the grant end date of May 31, 2025, with all expenses to be fully reimbursed as outlined in awarded contracts. MDAR has no further information on the LFPA program, or the future of the program at this time.
From 2022 to 2025, both LFPA and LFPA Plus programs funded 31 projects, with over $11 million in funding going straight towards the purchase of local foods from just under 500 unique farmers and producers across the state and region. Between both programs, local food was distributed to upwards of 700 distribution sites, serving vital communities across the Commonwealth. Awarded organizations were able to make hundreds of new connections with farmers, working together to provide local healthy foods on a widespread scale.
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The United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) has announced two rounds of Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (“LFPA”) funding. The purpose of this program is to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. The LFPA program is part of the “Build Back Better” initiative, authorized by the American Rescue Plan.
In a first round, MDAR awarded approximately $7.2 million in projects through a competitive proposal process. MDAR has awarded funds to organizations who will buy food from socially disadvantaged farmers and producers to provide to underserved communities. The food will meet the needs of the population, and serve feeding programs, including food banks, schools and organizations that reach underserved communities. In addition to increasing local food consumption, funds will help build and expand economic opportunity for local and socially disadvantaged producers.
In a second round, named LFPA+, funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act, MDAR plans to award $7.1 million in projects through a competitive proposal process. More details on how to apply and participate can be found on this website.
To self-identify as a socially disadvantaged farmer or producer, please complete the form on this page. Your information will be used to build a database for outreach purposes.
