Local Food Purchase Assistance Program - Spotlights

The Wallace Center is spearheading an initiative to research the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA), to amplify stories of how these programs are working on the ground, and to inform federal policies that will support small- and mid-sized farms, socially disadvantaged producers, and resilient local food systems in the long run. 

As part of this effort, we are looking to collaborate with 10 LFPA programs from across the country to co-create narrative pieces spotlighting their programs. We are particularly looking to feature highly collaborative grassroots models that explicitly center racial equity in their approach.

These featured stories will be collaboratively developed through interviews with three organizations participating in an LFPA program, ideally representing a diversity of roles like production, aggregation, value chain coordination and distribution. The final products will be shared widely through the Food Systems Leadership Network, with other national networks, USDA, funders and policymakers. Participating organizations will receive an honorarium payment, professional photographs of their program in action, and a suite of communications tools to promote the story of their program.

If you are interested in participating, please take a few minutes to fill out the form below. This application will remain open through Friday, February 17th. We will review submissions on a rolling basis. Direct questions to Melony Edwards (melony.edwards@winrock.org)

Question Title

* 1. First, what role do you play in your LFPA program? (select all that apply)

State, Tribal, or Territorial Government

Producer

Procurement and Aggregation (e.g. food hub)

Distribution (e.g. food access organization or food bank)

Value Chain Coordination

Other (please specify)

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* 2. Which state, territory, or tribal LFPA program are you participating in?

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* 3. What state, tribal or territory agency is leading your LFPA program? (e.g. State Department of Agriculture)

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* 4. Please describe your LFPA model. Who are the key partners?

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* 5. In a few sentences: What do think is most inspiring or impactful about this LFPA program?

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* 6. In a few sentences: What are the major challenges you are facing in implementing this program?

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* 7. How has the LFPA program you are involved in ensured that racial equity is a core value of the program? How does your program prioritize the needs of socially disadvantaged producers? Please give an example.

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* 8. How can we reach you?

First & Last Name

Organization

City/Town

State/Province

Email Address

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* 9. We are seeking to interview multiple organizations involved in an LFPA program. Next, we would appreciate it if you could suggest at least two significant partners who were engaged in the production, procurement, or distribution of your LFPA program and whom you would like to be highlighted along with.

Partner One: Which of your key partners would you most like to be interviewed along with? Consider key partners involved in producing, procurement and distribution of your LFPA program.

First & Last Name

Organization

Email Address

Question Title

* 10. What role does partner one play in your LFPA program? (select all that apply)

State, Tribal, or Territorial Government

Producer

Procurement and Aggregation (e.g. food hub)

Distribution (e.g. food access organization or food bank)

Value Chain Coordination

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 11. Partner Two: Which of your key partners would you most like to be interviewed along with? Consider key partners involved in producing, procurement and distribution of your LFPA program.

First & Last Name

Organization

Email Address

Question Title

* 12. What role does partner two play in your LFPA program? (select all that apply)

State, Tribal, or Territorial Government

Producer

Procurement and Aggregation (e.g. food hub)

Distribution (e.g. food access organization or food bank)

Value Chain Coordination

Other (please specify)

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* 13. Is there anything that you want to add?

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* 14. Suggest a Photographer – Are you familiar with any photographers in your area that you enjoy working with? What is the best way for us to get in touch with them?

First & Last Name

Company Name

Website Link

Email Address