Farm to Foodbank

“Kansas’ Farm to Foodbanks, the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement in our state, is an initiative that seeks to strengthen local food systems, support local farmers, and provide fresh, nutritious food to communities in need. This program is part of a broader national effort to create a more resilient and equitable food system by focusing on local food procurement, and fostering collaboration between producers, distributors, and community organizations. This initiative has gained significant momentum in Kansas, particularly with the recent infusion of additional funding by the state legislature.

The LFPA program was created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the American Rescue Plan. It was a development of an early COVID era initative – the Farmers to Families Foodbox program.. The aim is to improve food and nutrition security in underserved communities by purchasing food from local farmers; particularly those from socially disadvantaged groups.

For Kansas, a state with a rich agricultural tradition, the LFPA program presented an opportunity to support farms that were developing connections into the wholesale market. The Kansas Department of Agriculture(KDA) is the administrator of the LFPA funds in the state, providing funds to the three large food banks that cover the state of Kansas, the Kansas Food Bank, Harvesters, and Second Harvest Food Bank to purchase from local farmers. Encouraged by advocacy from the Kansas Food and Farm Coalition, including the Kansas Rural Center, the Kansas state legislature recently added $900,000 to this program to extend the life of the program past current Federal appropriations under the name of Farms to Foodbanks.

This legislative support is a valuable acknowledgement of the importance of investing in local food systems and recognizes the program’s potential benefits to Kansas communities. The additional funding will expand procurement opportunities and support Kansas farmers who have been supplying the foodbanks.

The LFPA program and the additional funding from the Kansas state legislature have the potential to create a ripple effect across the state. Not only will this support local farmers and boost local economies, but it will also improve food security in areas that need it the most. The program’s focus on locally grown food means fresher and more nutritious options for Kansans, helping to combat issues like food deserts and diet-related health conditions. By supporting small and diversified farms and improving local food infrastructure, Kansas is taking steps toward a more sustainable and equitable food system. The program encourages community resilience by fostering stronger local economies, reducing dependence on long supply chains, and promoting food sovereignty.

While the fate and timing of the next Farm Bill is still in question, there have been efforts to promote continuing to fund the LFPA program at the Federal level, and KRC hopes to encourage the continuation of state funding for the Farms to Foodbank program in the next Kansas Legislative session. With thoughtful investments the State and Federal government can support strong local food systems and more equitable access to healthy foods for all.

Tom Buller - Executive Director, KRC