The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) will purchase local foods from socially disadvantaged and local producers from across the Commonwealth and distribute it to underserved populations using a network of existing partnerships along with some newer concepts. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) will administer the LFPA program funds through three main projects: 1) a partnership with the Feeding KY network of food banks to purchase and distribute food, 2) expansion of frozen meal preparation and distribution programs at non-profit organizations, and 3) contracting with a 3rd-party provider to aggregate purchased food from many producers into boxes that will be distributed through a variety of methods, including optional direct delivery to recipient homes. These boxes may include some partially prepared or processed items to make meal preparation easier for recipients. The program will purchase food from local Kentucky producers at fair market prices and will establish and strengthen market channels for our producers. A primary goal is that these partnerships will develop into sustainable, long-term commercial relationships for local producers.
Partner agencies include the University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension Service, the Kentucky State University’s Small Farm Program, the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Feeding Kentucky network of Food Banks.