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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today an investment of $1.7 billion to support the purchase of locally and regionally produced foods and domestically produced foods for emergency food assistance. This investment, made possible by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), aims to benefit American producers by providing them with access to local and regional markets and financial stability from selling directly to institutions. Simultaneously, these purchases will ensure that American children and families in need have access to healthy food at schools, child care facilities, and emergency food providers.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated, “The investments announced by USDA today offer immediate and long-term assistance to American farmers, families, and communities. By delivering food from domestic producers to schools, child care facilities, and emergency feeding organizations, we are supporting local and regional markets for farmers and ensuring that students, young children, and those in need receive nutritious meals. These investments play a crucial role in keeping local economies thriving and building resilient food systems with sustainable impact.”

These initiatives are built upon previous investments in local and regional food systems, which have helped farmers find new markets and recover from supply chain disruptions, especially in the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene. The funds provided by the CCC will support local food purchases for schools, child care facilities, food banks, and other institutions, as well as purchase domestic commodities for emergency food providers.

The $1.2 billion allocated for local food purchases will support food banks, schools, and child care facilities in integrating local foods into their meals for the upcoming year. This funding will create new marketing opportunities for small- and mid-sized producers and food businesses, helping them expand, invest in infrastructure, and strengthen regional food systems. Additionally, $500 million will be available for states, territories, and Tribal nations to purchase local foods for emergency food providers and underserved communities, with an additional $500 million for school meal programs and $200 million for child care facilities.

In support of emergency food providers, USDA will provide $500 million to purchase domestic commodities for food banks and food pantries. This funding will ensure that states can order American-grown commodities from USDA to help address food insecurity and nutrition needs in communities. These investments will continue to support emergency food providers while bolstering American agriculture.

Through these investments and other actions, USDA is working to transform America’s food system by focusing on resilient local and regional food production, fair markets for all producers, access to safe and healthy food for all communities, building new markets for farmers, investing in infrastructure and clean energy in rural America, and promoting equity across the Department.

For more information, please visit www.usda.gov.

USDA remains committed to being an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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