HELENA, MT – The Montana Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA). Funds will be sub awarded to organizations statewide to increase the distribution of local food from and to underserved constituencies, and to facilitate the establishment of business relationships between underserved farmers and food purchasers in underserved communities.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service established the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) in early 2022. Cooperative agreements will allow for state and tribal governments to procure and distribute local and regional foods and beverages that are healthy, nutritious, and unique to their geographic area. The food will meet the needs of the population, and serve feeding programs, including food banks, schools and organizations that reach underserved communities.

Grants will be awarded from $50,000 to $200,000 over a two-year period for this effort.

Those interested in applying for the LFPA can do so via the direct amplifund link by clicking HERE, or by visiting agr.mt.gov/lfpa.

For more information and project guidelines, please visit agr.mt.gov/lfpa. The deadline for application is Friday, December 2nd, 2022, at 2:00pm.

A Q&A call will be held on Thursday, November 17th, 2022, at 2:00pm via Zoom. To request information to join the meeting virtually, please email Alicia Hamm at [email protected].

The Montana Department of Agriculture's mission is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries. For more information on the Montana Department of Agriculture, visit agr.mt.gov.