Distribution is a key component of any local food system. Specifically, for small and mid-sized producers to remain profitable, they need an efficient yet economic means to transport inventory to customers. USDA has several resources that connect producers to consumer outlets.
Find out options for USDA Funding
Aggregation:
- USDA AMS Food Hub Resource - A catalogue of USDA's findings and support for food hubs.
- USDA Rural Development Cooperative Programs - Carries out research and providing educational trainings, technical assistance, and grant support to co-ops across the country.
- Co-ops 101: An Introduction to Cooperatives (PDF, 5.3MB)
- How to Start a Cooperative (PDF, 441KB)
- Vital Steps: A Cooperative Feasibility Study Guide (PDF, 330KB)
- Running A Food Hub: Lessons learned from the field - Vol. 1 (PDF, 596KB)
- Running A Food Hub: A business operations guide - Vol. 2 (PDF, 406KB)
- Running A Food Hub: Assessing financial viability - Vol. 3 (PDF, 1.4MB)
- Role of Local Food Hubs (PDF, 4.9MB)
- USDA Farm to School Program - Provides resources to incorporate local foods into nutrition programs, including Federal nutrition programs and incorporating traditional foods into cultural meal plans.
General Local Food Distribution:
- USDA Local Food Directories - A catalogue of USDA's directories for farmers markets, CSA, food hubs, and on-farm markets.
- USDA Food Hub Resource - A catalogue of USDA's findings, resources, and support for food hubs.
- USDA Rural Development Cooperative Programs - Carries out research and providing educational trainings, technical assistance, and grant support to co-ops across the country.
- Co-ops 101: An Introduction to Cooperatives (PDF, 5.3MB)
- How to Start a Cooperative (PDF, 441KB)
- Vital Steps: A Cooperative Feasibility Study Guide (PDF, 330KB)
- Running A Food Hub: Lessons learned from the field - Vol. 1 (PDF, 596KB)
- Running A Food Hub: A business operations guide - Vol. 2 (PDF, 406KB)
- Running A Food Hub: Assessing financial viability - Vol. 3 (PDF, 1.4MB)
- Role of Local Food Hubs (PDF, 4.9MB)
Farm to Institution:
- USDA Farm to School Program - Provides resources to incorporate local foods into nutrition programs, including Federal nutrition programs and incorporating traditional foods into cultural meal plans.
Local Meat Distribution:
- USDA Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program: Allows small state inspected establishments to ship products in interstate commerce.
Meat and Poultry:
- USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Technical Assistance Program
- USDA AMS Grass Fed Program for Small and Very Small Producers - Makes the Grass Fed Marketing Claim program more accessible for small producers.
- USDA FSIS Small Plant Help Desk - Meat, poultry and processed egg product experts provide guidance on USDA regulations.
- USDA FSIS Mobile Slaughter Unit Compliance Guide
- USDA FSIS Federal and State Inspection Programs
- USDA FSIS Meat Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory - Lists establishments that produce meat, poultry, and/or egg products regulated by USDA pursuant to the:
- Federal Meat Inspection Act
- Poultry Products Inspection Act
- Egg Products Inspection Act
- USDA Tools for Small and Midsized Livestock and Poultry (PDF) | Text-only (accessible) version
- USDA Grain Inspection and Stockyards Administration Program Hotline - Report incidents of slow, insufficient, or non-payment for livestock, meat, or poultry and unfair, deceptive, fraudulent, and anti-trust practices.
- Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network: A network and resource clearinghouse for small meat processing, including resources for new and existing processing businesses, mobile slaughter, and meat producers.
- American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP): The largest meat trade association in North America. AAMP provides members with information on industry trends, important national news and other factors that might affect a processors business.
Resources
- Maps and Directories
- Food Safety
- Resources for Veterans
- Resources for Tribal Governments and Individual American Indians and Alaska Natives Section
- Resources and Reports