What can bring the USDA, the Ohio Departments of Agriculture, Job and Family Services, and Education, Ohio foodbanks, and 50+ local farmers, growers, producers, and suppliers together? Ohio CAN! Joree sits down with our colleague Carrie Harshbarger as well as Tracy Intihar and Ainsley Lightcap from the Ohio Department of Agriculture to talk about this new public-private partnership that strives to both stabilize and expand markets for local farmers while meeting the nutritional needs of Ohioans experiencing food hardship. 

References:   

For more information about the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) from USDA Agriculture Marketing Service, visit: https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/lfpacap 

Farmers and producers whose products are grown and produced within 400 miles of the city of Columbus are eligible to apply. Ohio CAN will prioritize applicants who identify as historically underrepresented. For more information about how to get involved as a supplier, visit the Ohio CAN Program website. 

Outside of this range? Each state has its own LFPA program; find state agency contacts to reach out for other opportunities here. 

Read the press release from USDA Secretary Vilsack announcing an expansion of LFPA.

Find your local foodbank to find help, volunteer, and donate here.      

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Ohio Association of Foodbanks is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization without party affiliation or bias. We are Ohio’s largest charitable response to hunger and our mission is to assist Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks in providing food and other resources to people in need and to pursue areas of common interest for the benefit of people in need.