Resource Database

We designed this guide to share practical information about how farms and food hubs can succeed in selling (or selling more!) to restaurants. We drew on interviews with customers who have focused on restaurants as a core part of their business, as well as some of the things we’ve learned from providing software solutions to farms and food hubs for nearly two …

Imagine grounding communication strategies firmly within the values of collaboration and collectivism that are interwoven throughout our business and organizational missions. Think about the power that could be amassed if, as communicators, we prioritized coming together to discuss and organize around Strategic Collective Narratives, practiced Communal Framing, and crafted stories, built skills, and celebrated success in Solidarity with one another and our …

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The State Farm to School Policy Handbook: 2002-2023 is a tool for those working to advance the farm to school movement. This newest edition summarizes and analyzes every farm to school and early care and education (ECE) bill and resolution introduced from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2023, across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and US …

The Food Access to Food Sovereignty Spectrum offers a model that is expansive and inclusive of all food systems change and emphasizes the interconnectedness of food movements. This workbook provides tools for individuals and groups to contextualize their work in relation to others, which in turn increases understanding of their own efforts and fosters collaborations to improve food …

Farm to Food Assistance: A Model for Values-Based, Equity-Centered Approaches to Transforming the Food System The Wallace Center has been working to better understand and support the people and organizations implementing values-based, equity-centered Farm to Food Assistance (F2FA) programs since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this first of its kind comprehensive report on the emerging field of F2FA, the Wallace Center and our research partners Rachel Dannefer and Alison Cohen share the findings and insights from four years of research, peer learning, and field building. “Farm to Food Assistance: A Model for Values-Based, Equity Centered Approaches to Transforming the Food System” makes the case for how Farm to Food Assistance can contribute to the transformation of a food system from one that produces commodities and derives wealth for a few to one that produces food, health, and wellbeing for all. We explore how values-based, equity-centered Farm to Food Assistance reveals and works to overcome the contradictions inherent in the food banking economy and delineate the core values and strategies that move the food assistance system from charity to justice. We also enumerate the most pressing challenges and offer recommendations for practitioners and supporters to advance the goals and outcomes of Farm to Food Assistance efforts across the …

Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab Team Profiles Over 50 food systems leaders contributed to the Farm to Food Assistance report, including the 10 Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab teams who served as co-investigators in the research. The report includes profiles on the brilliant work of these organizations leading innovative Farm to Food Assistance programs in communities across the nation, from California to Puerto Rico, as well as learnings from the national Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice, focus groups, and a national …

Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab Team Profiles Over 50 food systems leaders contributed to the Farm to Food Assistance report, including the 10 Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab teams who served as co-investigators in the research. The report includes profiles on the brilliant work of these organizations leading innovative Farm to Food Assistance programs in communities across the nation, from California to Puerto Rico, as well as learnings from the national Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice, focus groups, and a national …

Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab Team Profiles Over 50 food systems leaders contributed to the Farm to Food Assistance report, including the 10 Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab teams who served as co-investigators in the research. The report includes profiles on the brilliant work of these organizations leading innovative Farm to Food Assistance programs in communities across the nation, from California to Puerto Rico, as well as learnings from the national Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice, focus groups, and a national …

Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab Team Profiles Over 50 food systems leaders contributed to the Farm to Food Assistance report, including the 10 Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab teams who served as co-investigators in the research. The report includes profiles on the brilliant work of these organizations leading innovative Farm to Food Assistance programs in communities across the nation, from California to Puerto Rico, as well as learnings from the national Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice, focus groups, and a national …

Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab Team Profiles Over 50 food systems leaders contributed to the Farm to Food Assistance report, including the 10 Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab teams who served as co-investigators in the research. The report includes profiles on the brilliant work of these organizations leading innovative Farm to Food Assistance programs in communities across the nation, from California to Puerto Rico, as well as learnings from the national Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice, focus groups, and a national …

Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab Team Profiles Over 50 food systems leaders contributed to the Farm to Food Assistance report, including the 10 Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab teams who served as co-investigators in the research. The report includes profiles on the brilliant work of these organizations leading innovative Farm to Food Assistance programs in communities across the nation, from California to Puerto Rico, as well as learnings from the national Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice, focus groups, and a national …

Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab Team Profiles Over 50 food systems leaders contributed to the Farm to Food Assistance report, including the 10 Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab teams who served as co-investigators in the research. The report includes profiles on the brilliant work of these organizations leading innovative Farm to Food Assistance programs in communities across the nation, from California to Puerto Rico, as well as learnings from the national Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice, focus groups, and a national …

Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab Team Profiles Over 50 food systems leaders contributed to the Farm to Food Assistance report, including the 10 Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab teams who served as co-investigators in the research. The report includes profiles on the brilliant work of these organizations leading innovative Farm to Food Assistance programs in communities across the nation, from California to Puerto Rico, as well as learnings from the national Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice, focus groups, and a national …

Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab Team Profiles Over 50 food systems leaders contributed to the Farm to Food Assistance report, including the 10 Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab teams who served as co-investigators in the research. The report includes profiles on the brilliant work of these organizations leading innovative Farm to Food Assistance programs in communities across the nation, from California to Puerto Rico, as well as learnings from the national Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice, focus groups, and a national …

Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab Team Profiles Over 50 food systems leaders contributed to the Farm to Food Assistance report, including the 10 Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab teams who served as co-investigators in the research. The report includes profiles on the brilliant work of these organizations leading innovative Farm to Food Assistance programs in communities across the nation, from California to Puerto Rico, as well as learnings from the national Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice, focus groups, and a national …

This report aims to share what we’ve learned about how farm to food assistance programs funded by LFPA function, their initial impact, challenges they are facing, and recommendations to help USDA, its cooperators, and other key stakeholders ensure the success of the program and others like it. In the short time since its inception, the Local Food Purchase Assistance program has demonstrated its potential as a powerful investment in farms and communities. There are necessary changes that would increase the ability of this program to meet its stated goals, but even in its early stages, LFPA has proven to be incredibly impactful for local farms and food businesses – particularly those owned by socially disadvantaged producers – local and regional food systems, and underserved communities. We are optimistic about the future of this program and hope to see its …

This report aims to share what we’ve learned about how farm to food assistance programs funded by LFPA function, their initial impact, challenges they are facing, and recommendations to help USDA, its cooperators, and other key stakeholders ensure the success of the program and others like it. In the short time since its inception, the Local Food Purchase Assistance program has demonstrated its potential as a powerful investment in farms and communities. There are necessary changes that would increase the ability of this program to meet its stated goals, but even in its early stages, LFPA has proven to be incredibly impactful for local farms and food businesses – particularly those owned by socially disadvantaged producers – local and regional food systems, and underserved communities. We are optimistic about the future of this program and hope to see its …

Since 2022, the Wallace Center has had the opportunity to learn from food systems leaders as they’ve implemented LFPA programs in their communities. In partnership with these leaders, we compiled these stories about some of the creative ways communities across the United States are using LFPA funding to benefit farmers and those experiencing food …

Since 2022, the Wallace Center has had the opportunity to learn from food systems leaders as they’ve implemented LFPA programs in their communities. In partnership with these leaders, we compiled these stories about some of the creative ways communities across the United States are using LFPA funding to benefit farmers and those experiencing food …

Since 2022, the Wallace Center has had the opportunity to learn from food systems leaders as they’ve implemented LFPA programs in their communities. In partnership with these leaders, we compiled these stories about some of the creative ways communities across the United States are using LFPA funding to benefit farmers and those experiencing food …

Since 2022, the Wallace Center has had the opportunity to learn from food systems leaders as they’ve implemented LFPA programs in their communities. In partnership with these leaders, we compiled these stories about some of the creative ways communities across the United States are using LFPA funding to benefit farmers and those experiencing food …

Since 2022, the Wallace Center has had the opportunity to learn from food systems leaders as they’ve implemented LFPA programs in their communities. In partnership with these leaders, we compiled these stories about some of the creative ways communities across the United States are using LFPA funding to benefit farmers and those experiencing food …

Since 2022, the Wallace Center has had the opportunity to learn from food systems leaders as they’ve implemented LFPA programs in their communities. In partnership with these leaders, we compiled these stories about some of the creative ways communities across the United States are using LFPA funding to benefit farmers and those experiencing food …

Since 2022, the Wallace Center has had the opportunity to learn from food systems leaders as they’ve implemented LFPA programs in their communities. In partnership with these leaders, we compiled these stories about some of the creative ways communities across the United States are using LFPA funding to benefit farmers and those experiencing food …

Since 2022, the Wallace Center has had the opportunity to learn from food systems leaders as they’ve implemented LFPA programs in their communities. In partnership with these leaders, we compiled these stories about some of the creative ways communities across the United States are using LFPA funding to benefit farmers and those experiencing food …

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Proposal Calendar …

The Wallace Center has been working to better understand and support the people and organizations implementing values-based and equity-centered Farm to Food Assistance programs across the United States since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report brings together findings and insights from these efforts, which have engaged hundreds of people who are part of Farm to Food Assistance programs—including producers, aggregators, and food assistance providers—across the country over the past four years. This publication, and the values-based, equity-centered models it highlights, is meant to serve as an inspiration for farmers and food producers, food hubs and food systems focused organizations, and food access organizations looking for courage to stand at the crossroads and choose a new path. We also hope it encourages local and state governments, policy makers, the USDA, and philanthropy to direct more resources to the promising field of Farm to Food …

This report aims to share what we’ve learned about how farm to food assistance programs funded by LFPA function, their initial impact, challenges they are facing, and recommendations to help USDA, its cooperators, and other key stakeholders ensure the success of the program and others like it. In the short time since its inception, the Local Food Purchase Assistance program has demonstrated its potential as a powerful investment in farms and communities. There are necessary changes that would increase the ability of this program to meet its stated goals, but even in its early stages, LFPA has proven to be incredibly impactful for local farms and food businesses – particularly those owned by socially disadvantaged producers – local and regional food systems, and underserved communities. We are optimistic about the future of this program and hope to see its …

We’ll be keeping close tabs on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. and updating the tracker daily. It will include actions taken by the President, federal agencies, and Congress that directly relate to or have implications for our food system. That could include any aspect of the system: farm, labor, environment, immigration, food safety, and health. We’ll track executive orders that have implications for food and farming, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will likely be prominently …

The purpose of this annotated bibliography is to provide current research and outreach on structural racism in the United States food system for the food system practitioner, researcher, educator, and advocate. Since the first edition was published in 2015, we have updated this resource annually. We suggest it be used as a companion resource for training or education sessions on structural racism in the food …

Our ultimate goal is to equip the change sector with a more inclusive, expansive, and powerful approach to tackling the myriad challenges we face, by exploring the potential of Scaling Deep as a transformational strategy for systems …

This report quantifies the positive impacts created when regions organize their infrastructure investments toward a more locally sourced food system. In this report, we examine the positive economic and social ramifications of intensifying the local portion of regional food systems, in which those food systems hypothetically source a great proportion of their goods and services needs …

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture missed a USDA LFPA grant deadline to allow food banks to buy from local farmers. Now, the state is looking for ways to make up the …

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The FSMA Good Manufacturing Practices for Low-Risk Foods: A Guide for Small-Scale Farms and Food Businesses manual was developed to be a resource for small and medium-scale processors of Low-Risk Food/Activity Combinations (LRFACs) regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The FDA requires entities making food for human consumption to register with the agency as a food ‘facility’ and to properly apply GMPs and other prerequisite programs in producing their foods. Low-risk food processors are exempt from implementing preventive controls and supply chain programs under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FMSA); however, they must comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) beginning in September 2018. This manual explains the essentials of GMPs and will provide more detailed information to allow you to understand and identify the hazards your food safety program should address. The manual also provides basic information about the necessary steps for successful food manufacturing and preservation and an explanation of the FDA’s rules on labeling foods that contain …

This Toolkit is designed for institutional food procurement specialists who are already committed to using solicitations to increase their values-based …

Senator Reed is poised to introduce The EAT Local Foods Act, which would create a permanent formula grant program for state and tribal governments to procure local foods for distribution to community food assistance programs in our state. Modeled after the Biden Administration’s temporary Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA), the EAT Local Foods Act program would help accomplish three main objectives: • Help small local producers access new market opportunities; • Combat food insecurity; and • Strengthen domestic agriculture supply chain …

This impact report celebrates early successes, presents measurable impacts of the LFPA, and offers recommendations to sustain and expand this crucial work in the state of Iowa. The impact data and stories shared in this report highlights initial impacts of the program through 2023, and is intended to both inform and inspire, paving the way for innovative opportunities to enhance food access and foster the viability of farmers in …

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With a wide array of functions, connections, and impacts, food hubs face challenges adhering to food safety laws and regulations. Those laws and regulations often were not written with food hubs in mind. With this resource, decision makers at food hubs can build a strategy around food safety regulations that achieves compliance and reduces risk. Described as a “centrally located facility…facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, distribution, and/or marketing of locally/regionally produce food products,” food hubs’ operations can vary widely depending on their focus and location. Because of this varied approach, the food hub’s food safety compliance strategy can be extremely nuanced, with different activities having different requirements. Designed to be used in collaboration with a lawyer or food safety consultant, this guide outlines the legal landscape for food hub decisionmakers looking to build food safety compliance and risk management strategies. Tailored to food hubs’ specific concerns, this resource can build a foundation for food hubs looking to minimize their risk of litigation or fines while keeping in mind customer preferences, infrastructure, labor force, and …

This study explores how state governments are using LFPA and LFS funding to develop or advance local food purchasing programs that target socially disadvantaged producers. Tribal governments were also eligible to apply for these programs, however none were engaged for this project, therefore further research is needed to understand program design by Tribal cooperators. Based on findings from a survey and interviews with state agencies, we share examples of how these programs are operationalizing equity in program design, measurement, outreach, and implementation. We discuss how learnings and outcomes can advance equity in state and federal …

The annotated bibliography provides current research and outreach on structural racism in the U.S. food system for the food system practitioner, researcher, educator, and advocate. Our intention is to update this resource on a recurring basis. We suggest it be used as a companion resource for training or education sessions on structural racism in the food …

In early 2023, before we started rolling out LFPA, Illinois Extension conducted 30 listening sessions across the state to collect feedback about gaps in our state’s food system and how to best use LFPA funds. Over 300 community members attended the listening sessions, and more than 150 potential partners for LFPA were …

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The eighth edition of this directory provides an overview of various financing sources available to food-related businesses in Michigan and across the United States. The directory includes sources of national and local finance opportunities that may be available to farmers, food producers, distributors, food hubs, and other food-related businesses. The directory is a partial listing of what may be available across the United States; some examples may not be a good match with your particular circumstances. Initially informed by a list of funding resources for food-related businesses found on the Food+Tech Connect website, a media and research company building a network for food innovators and entrepreneurs, it has been made available by the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems to help support local food systems. The directory is divided into four types of funding sources: Crowdfunding Start-up accelerator Miscellaneous Michigan and federal government resources For each funding entity included, details are provided to help guide your decisions: description, funding focus, funding limit, qualifications, geographical region of focus, and website. At the end of the list of funding entities, a selection of resources on writing grant and loan applications is provided. Writing a robust, effective grant and/or loan application can help you successfully obtain the funding you need for your business. Look to the tips provided as you determine which type funding source is right for your …

New (LFPA) program allows farmers to add products to a public directory, support local food access and Wisco farms. The directory allows farmers to create profiles for their farms and list available products and prices determined by the farmers themselves. (Find more information about pricing, payment, and more on this Q&A webpage). In turn, hunger-relief organizations, food and meal programs, institutional and wholesale purchases, and community members can search for producers in their …

A listing of the organizations that are working to reduce the amount of food that is wasted at its origin by purchasing from farmers and redistributing perishable foods such as produce, meat, and dairy products to areas that are in need of …

The Wallace Center VISTA during their 2022-2023 service did research into statewide food systems networks. After initial research, the VISTA interviewed a variety of state networks and presented their findings at the Arkansas Grown Conference.

Getting involved in the legislative process and policy debates is not just an appropriate role for nonprofits—it is vital. If nonprofits aren’t speaking up for their often-vulnerable communities, chances are nobody else is …

This fact sheet provides an overview of how lobbying is defined for organizations that measure their lobbying under the 501(h) expenditure …

When does the clock start ticking? You must begin measuring your lobbying activity when the primary purpose of your preparation or research is to engage in lobbying …

GFSI defined food fraud as below: “Food fraud, including the subcategory of economically motivated adulteration, is of growing concern. It is deception of consumers using food products, ingredients and packaging for economic gain and includes substitution, unapproved enhancements, misbranding, counterfeiting, stolen goods or others.” (GFSI, 2014) “Food fraud: A collective term encompassing the deliberate and intentional substitution, addition, tampering or misrepresentation of food, food ingredients or food packaging, labelling, product information or false or misleading statements made about a product for economic gain that could impact consumer health.” (GFSI Benchmarking Requirements, …

Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce
for Human Consumption; Final Rule

The goal of this template is to help Value Chain Coordination (VCC) professionals quickly build an evaluation plan based on best practices in the field. This template was developed by the Wallace Center’s Food Systems Leadership Network team with input from Value Chain Coordination professionals and consultants with expertise in evaluation and racial equity.

This guide and the accompanying evaluation template are designed to help Value Chain Coordination Professionals design and implement an evaluation plan that is aligned with your values and unique role in your community. The guide includes prompts for reflection and space to write out your values, your unique role and activities, and includes an accompanying template where you can build your evaluation plan. Prompts are included throughout to illuminate how a given activity contributes to racial equity or perpetuates inequalities. Regardless of where you are in your journey, these questions can help you align your work and impact with your values and intentions.

This brief focuses on local food systems as vehicles for collaboration and racial equity among multiple stakeholders and networks. Local food systems are widely regarded as go-to examples for fostering rural-urban and farmer consumer connections, but they require significant investments in stakeholder networks and the institutional infrastructure necessary to sustain and expand them. Examples of statewide, regional, and national initiatives are given to illustrate the power of networks to foster deeper levels of collaboration and reciprocity. The vital roles of Minority Serving Institutions and Cooperative Extension are …

How can we create a more vibrant and resilient food system? One emerging idea is the formation of food hub networks. In this model, a group of food hubs partner together to expand opportunities for local food. It’s about collaborating to meet shared goals and expand opportunities for their producers. In the Pacific Northwest, three food hubs are doing just that. In late 2021, Puget Sound Food Hub, LINC Foods, and Western Montana Growers Cooperative officially formed the Northwest Food Hub Network (NWFHN). Now, just one year into their story, the network has seen $1 million in new …

Map of Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, FarmsSHARE Network Map partners from 2022 – the network has grown since …

Interoperability, the ability for different and unique softwares to share data, is key to both networking and general ease and efficiency of doing business. At Farm Fare, they endorse a public blockchain as a solution to interoperability. This document provides accessible (ie: non technologist) language to learn more about interoperability and a public blockchain.

The following provides accessible language to understanding a means to prioritize the use of data at your food hub and why data standards are critical to rolling up your own food hub’s experience in the context of other food hubs across the nation. Also: are you confused what data standards even are? Don’t worry, this resource defines and describes this for the non-technologist.

WSDA was tasked through legislative proviso to explore the barriers and challenges underrepresented farmers and ranchers face, with the goal of identifying opportunities to support more diverse representation within the agriculture community in Washington state.
Of all the important issues underrepresented farmers and ranchers elevated for this report, there is a single common theme connecting them; that community and community networks are essential foundations to the success of farmers and ranchers. This also means, that community connection, inclusion, safety, and belonging are key components necessary to improve equity for underrepresented farmers and ranchers in Washington.
This report is one small step toward shaping a more equitable future where farmers and ranchers from every race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical ability, social status, and creed can access the resources they need to thrive within Washington’s agriculture sector. In this envisioned future, farmers and ranchers who have experienced marginalization are included at the decision-making table, feel understood by policymakers, and are able to access holistic, equitable, and effective support that aligns with the languages they speak, the cultures they come from, and the identities they hold.

This planning guide aims to provide local governments with resources to build local food system resilience and to do so in a way that promotes an equitable and just food system. The primary audience for this planning guide is local government staff (e.g., planners, sustainability directors, food systems managers, emergency management staff, resilience managers, etc.) and policymakers who can develop and implement policies at the subnational level. This planning guide is not a blueprint; it includes background information on important concepts and a set of tools, that if used together will help you develop a set of food system resilience strategies. The strategies can be used to create a stand-alone food system resilience plan or be embedded into other developing or existing local government plans. This planning guide was developed collaboratively by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future and Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence (a part of GovEx) and representatives of five US cities: Austin, Texas; Baltimore, Maryland; Denver, Colorado; Moorhead, Minnesota; and Orlando, Florida. During a year-long process, the group worked together to develop and test the resources provided.

Developing and sustaining a food hub …

Local Food Supply Chain USDA …

GAP Programs Stakeholder Toolkit

USDA Budget Template USDA Budget Template …

A problem tree can be a useful tool that allows you to analyze a problem and determine its causes and effects. This resource includes a problem tree, along with resources on problem tree overviews and how to use it.

Template for a Memorandum of …

2023 LAMP Stakeholder …

Community Food Systems Mentorship Program Goals and Scheduling Template …

PowerPoint provided by Joseph McIntyre during the Finding Your Leverage Points webinar.

The Walker River Paiute Tribe in the state of Nevada took action in response to the Covid-19 epidemic. The outbreak was seen by the tribe as both a threat to its very existence and a chance to make use of an unprecedented amount of federal cash for relief efforts in order to build programs that addressed the community’s health, culture, and …

Through the expansion of the Community Grower Support Fund, which buys food directly from socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (a classification used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to include groups that have experienced systemic racial or ethnic prejudice), grant funds will help local economies. All around the state, these underserved urban, rural, and distant areas receive this locally produced food. Additionally, funds will enhance the infrastructure for storage and transportation, assisting in the long-term development of more durable local food …

Grow Food and River Valley Co-op are working together to help underprivileged farmers become commercially viable by buying their products, creating marketing strategies, exposing them to new clients, and allowing them to participate as vendors at Grow Food’s farmers markets. According to Klein, “a percentage of the cash that we are receiving is for the purchase of produce and other locally produced products from new and socially underprivileged local farmers.” “Through our no-cost Mobile Market initiative, Grow Food Northampton will give away this food at no cost to community individuals who are struggling with food insecurity. Through their Food For All initiative, River Valley Co-op will give away this free local food to WIC and SNAP recipients in the …

States, territories, and federally recognized tribal governments may apply for additional funding available under LFPA Plus. A complete overview of submission requirements is available in the LFPA Plus Request for …

This list of entities that have signed Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreements with USDA will be updated as the agreements are …

USDA-AMS is establishing cooperative agreements with states, territories, and federally recognized tribal governments for the purpose of supporting local, regional, and underserved farmers and producers through food purchases with the LFPA funds. These cooperative agreements will allow recipients to procure local and domestic foods that are unique to their geographic area and meets the needs of their population. Underserved communities will be the priority for distribution of the foods purchased through the …

Connecting with Underserved Producers, the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement: Empowers states and tribal governments to purchase domestic foods from local, regional, and underserved producers, and helps these producers navigate the procurement …

Despite the fact that fresh food from small farms is rarely thought of as a reliable source of emergency food help, GrowFood Carolina was one of many food hubs across the nation that was able to move surplus food from farmers to needy people swiftly and effectively. According to data and polls, some supporters argue that the success of these distributors gives the USDA verifiable proof that regional food hubs and small farms can operate within the agency’s guidelines and that, as a result, they should be given more future access to federal food …

As part of a Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice conversation, one of our facilitators Eva Agudelo shared the reporting template from USDA. Her program Hopes Harvest, subcontracts with their states (RI) agency, and they are responsible for tracking this data and submitting it to them quarterly. They also have two subcontractors under their award, and they have made copies of this for them to complete on a monthly and quarterly …

As part of a Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice conversation, one of our facilitators Andy Ollove shared a draft of what they are proposing in California as way to implement their LFPA. They anticipate most of the food will be allocated to food banks around the state. To engage local farms in every region of the state, they will be issuing contracts to formal and informal food hubs that are aggregating food. These could be non-profits, small food hubs, or farms themselves. The question this begs then is how do you award contracts based on the funding priorities of LFPA? Their solution is to create an open bidding process where potential applications are not measured against each other by price, but by the effectiveness of their value chain in reaching BIPOC growers as well as their ability to deliver food to the desired cultural preferences of their food bank’s community. Here is a draft solicitation. In this document, you will see what contracts look like, how an aggregator can apply, what grading criteria we are assigning, as well as the table for where the aggregator will list their farm info. California’s project will likely not begin until 2023, so they are in the process of gathering feedback from farms and food hubs about this proposed model. Any input is very …

As part of a Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice conversation, one of our facilitators Andy Ollove shared a draft of what they are proposing in California as way to implement their LFPA. They anticipate most of the food will be allocated to food banks around the state. To engage local farms in every region of the state, they will be issuing contracts to formal and informal food hubs that are aggregating food. These could be non-profits, small food hubs, or farms themselves. The question this begs then is how do you award contracts based on the funding priorities of LFPA? Their solution is to create an open bidding process where potential applications are not measured against each other by price, but by the effectiveness of their value chain in reaching BIPOC growers as well as their ability to deliver food to the desired cultural preferences of their food bank’s community. Here is a draft solicitation. In this document, you will see what contracts look like, how an aggregator can apply, what grading criteria we are assigning, as well as the table for where the aggregator will list their farm info. California’s project will likely not begin until 2023, so they are in the process of gathering feedback from farms and food hubs about this proposed model. Any input is very …

2023 FSLN Mentorship informational call …

Source for FSLN Value Creation Stories …

This article shares a story about a partnership between Feeding Wisconsin and the Intertribal Ag Council that resulted in the creation of a food box distribution program that provided culturally relevant food to tribal elders. It’s a great example of how relationships between food banks and the communities they serve are crucial to successful and meaningful programs. It mentions Dan Cornelius from IAC, in addition to several other tribal leaders and food bank staff that made it possible. It can be useful when trying to describe the value of partnerships and relationships to meet community needs with …

Many farmers donate farm surpluses to local food banks on a regular basis, but the recent economic downturn shattered the food supply and farm economies, particularly for those reliant on restaurants and institutional consumers. “They need interim markets and help navigating this era and sustaining sustainability for the future,” Emily Moose of the non-profit agricultural organization A Greener World said (AGW). Thiel, like thousands of other small-scale farmers, experienced a complete loss of sales. Then, out of nowhere, he received a paid-in-full order for 500 pounds of potatoes to be delivered to a regional food bank. The Great Potato Drive was the result of a spontaneous community initiative. Thiel has delivered over a ton of potatoes to the food bank since late March, which has then distributed them to 19 food pantries in four rural counties. And, thanks to ongoing private fundraising, he has a weekly standing …

Farm to food bank (or food pantry) programs have exploded in popularity in states across the country in recent years. Proponents argue that these programs are a no-brainer: they provide healthy food to those in need while also supporting local, in-state farmers. Farmers have long donated to local food banks, but state-funded farm to food bank programs go a step further by providing farmers with financial …

The F2FP initiative, founded in 2014 as a collaboration between WSDA and Harvest Against Hunger (HAH), helps strengthen community-based food systems while increasing the viability and success of both agricultural producers and hunger relief organizations. Regional agencies are given funds to establish wholesale contracts with local small-scale farmers in order to supply food pantries with nutrient-dense, farm-fresh food. Through monthly group check-in meetings, technical resources for farm contracting, fundraising, and food pantry customer engagement, WSDA and HAH provide programmatic …

Farmers and ranchers in California saw their markets decrease by half as the epidemic shut down eateries this spring, leaving many with fields full of crops but no buyers. As a result of the job losses, the state’s food banks had to treble their food supply. Fortunately for California, the state has a long-running project that was specifically designed to address these two challenges. The California Association of Food Banks’ Farm to Family program, which is funded by the state’s Department of Food and Agriculture, pays farmers to donate surplus produce to food …

AFSC New Mexico funded 30 small scale sustainable farms with whom we collaborate across the state to help them grow food for people who have the least access. We paid a fair price for over 22,000 pounds of fresh produce and donated it to Roadrunner Food Bank and several food pantries and shelters across the …

The Nourish New York Initiative of New York State is a lifeline for our families and farmers who have been impacted by COVID-19 reforms. This vital program enables those who are food insecure to obtain the nutrition they require while also providing a market for farmers to sell their crops. So far, $85 million has been allocated to the program. The financing will enable New York’s emergency food suppliers to continue purchasing surplus items from New York farmers and dairy producers and delivering them to needy New York families until the end of the …

The goal of the Food Sovereignty Fund is to give farmers the tools they need to work with hunger relief projects to get tasty, healthy, and culturally appropriate food grown by local farmers to people who might not have access to it otherwise. Farmers are paid ahead of time by the fund for this food. Farms are matched with community-based hunger relief projects so that the projects can get the locally grown foods that the people they help need and deserve. Technical assistance is given to all FSF participants, whether they are farmers or people who work or volunteer to help fight hunger. The ultimate goal is to improve food sovereignty in the Hudson Valley by giving resources and help to farms run by and serving communities that are too often left out of the local food system. All of the participating farms are led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, and …

The growth of the Farm to Food Pantry program during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak last year was a win-win for our community, both economically and in terms of offering healthier food options to individuals struggling with food insecurity. LIFT-UP had tested the waters after years of supporting gleaning during fall harvests, partnerships with farmers’ markets, and a grocery rescue program that received more than 371,000 pounds of fresh produce and dairy in 2019, as well as the funding described above. The initiative Farm to Food Pantry benefited our entire community. This economic structure provided the underserved with increased food options from more suppliers via community food sites such as the LIFT-UP mobile food distribution stations. LIFT-UP offered more consumers with better food options, assisted farmers and ranchers with known paid food purchasing commitments, and maintained its resources in the Roaring Fork valley, regionally, and along …

Everyone in Vermont should have access to the wealth of fresh, local food in our state. This unique program helps neighbors in need with fresh, local food while bolstering Vermont’s agricultural industry, a pillar of the state’s culture. Prior to the growing season, the Foodbank and farmers agree on a quantity, pricing, and delivery timetable. During harvest season, farmers make consistent delivery to one of our three locations. Through our network of more than 300 community partners and programs like as VeggieVanGo, which provides fresh food deliveries in local communities throughout the state, the Foodbank subsequently distributes the food to individuals facing hunger. The Vermont Foodbank also provides partner food pantries and meal sites with cash to purchase food directly from local farmers in order to assist their …

In 2010 after a noticeable decline of food bank donations and drop of nutritional value in food being donated, Mainers Feeding Mainers was created. As a result, the organization was able to supply fresh and frozen produce, seafood, dairy, and grain to their network of 400 local partners. The Food Bank has invested nearly $2.7 million in Maine farms since the program’s inception. In 2018, the Food Bank invested $750,000 in Maine’s agricultural …

Duke World Food Policy Center and Why Hunger infographic report on COVID’s impacts on emergency feeding organizations

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Value Chain Coordination Quicksheet: Evaluating Economic Outcomes

Organizational Capacity Assessment Matrix Organizational Capacity Assessment Matrix – a great tool for understanding your organizations strengths and areas for …

A Process for Value Chain Development

An overview of the Value Chain Initiative in Alberta, Canada

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#FindYourSeafoodWeek Toolkit Use this toolkit to help The Local Catch Network amplify the stories of community-based fisheries alongside the launch of their new Seafood Finder. The Seafood Finder is a tool intended to connect people with their seafood and seafood harvesters. Alongside the launch, LCN is hosting a social media campaign with a goal of elevating community-based fisheries. This toolkit includes background information, goals, and resources that anyone can use including fishers, partnering organizations, seafood/fishing advocates, …

Instructions and details for how to prepare for the session

Facilitation guide for the session

Solutions Exchange Overview Overview of the Solutions Exchange process and …

Findings from a rapid landscape assessment

An overview of the role of institutions in building equitable regional food systems

Elliott Smith of Kitchen Sync Strategies outlines the concept of institutional investment in equitable food systems through explaining some of the conditions that make it necessary and defining some terms.

What institutions need to know to move beyond procurement policies and build partnerships for an equitable food economy

This article highlights examples of institutions investing in their local food systems

Advice for organizations considering applying for FMLFPP grants from past grant recipients.

Ken Meter’s Building Community Food Webs (Island Press, 2021) is the single best place to find both inspiration and pragmatic suggestions for your community foods work. It offers in-depth stories covering some of the most creative and resilient community foods initiatives across the U.S., and also features a groundbreaking and concise economic analysis of the extractive rural economy that has made this community foods movement so necessary. Building Community Food Webs offers key insights from Ken Meter’s career advancing community foods initiatives. 1. Economic overview showing how the US food system has extracted $4 trillion from the farm sector — leaving farms with a combined worth of $3 trillion. 2. Eight inspiring stories about innovative community foods work in Montana; Hawai‘i; Tucson; Northeast Indiana; Southeast Ohio; Phoenix; Brighton, Colorado; and Dakota County, Minnesota. 3. Key insights that drive this work …

RFSP Program …

RFSP Webinar Presenters

The Four Corners GroupGAP Group: A Case Study This report describes the history and learnings from the Four Corners GroupGAP Group, including the pros and cons of GroupGAP, the value of QMS, and key attributes of successful …

Toward Market Cities: Lessons on Supporting Public Market Systems From Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Toronto This report includes background on the Market Cities Initiative and its research efforts to date, summaries of the three partner city’s findings and recommendations, and broad takeaways for other cities looking to strengthen their market systems or leading their own Market City …

Food safety certification is no easy undertaking. While there are many reasons to go the certification route, a central reason is market access. Whether you already have a buyer asking for it, hope to gain a new buyer through it, or just want to get ahead of the curve, food safety certification is a useful tool in moving your produce from farm to table. There is a lot more to using this tool than just passing an audit. Once your certification is in hand, how do you communicate it to existing or potential buyers? What types of buyers ask for it? While many guides reference food safety certification, they typically only describe how to get certified, not what happens after. This guide aims to show you how your certification can be a catalyst for …

CERTIFICACION DE SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA Y SU COMERCIALIZACION La certificación de seguridad alimentaria no es una carga fácil. Si bien existen muchas razones para optar por la ruta de la certificación, una razón fundamental es el acceso al mercado. Ya sea que ya tenga un comprador que lo solicite, espere obtener un nuevo comprador a través de él o simplemente quiera adelantarse a la curva, la certificación de seguridad alimentaria es una herramienta útil para trasladar sus productos de la granja a la mesa. El uso de esta herramienta implica mucho más que simplemente pasar una auditoría. Una vez que su certificación está disponible, ¿cómo se la comunica a los compradores existentes o potenciales? ¿Qué tipo de compradores lo piden? Si bien muchas guías hacen referencia a la certificación de seguridad alimentaria, generalmente solo describen cómo obtener la certificación, no qué después. Esta guía tiene como objetivo mostrarle cómo su certificación puede ser un catalizador para el …

Learn about how Quality Management Systems can create a foundation for successful operational management of food and farm businesses, creating systems for continuous improvement, and meeting buyer requirements. This guide presents instructions on how to create and manage a QMS using the “Plan-Do-Check-Act” framework.

This report is a look at a how U.S.-based food hubs understand engagement in racial equity work. Through interviews with food hub managers and other roles, we identify common facilitators and inhibitors to food hubs engaging in racial equity …

When COVID-19 upended markets in the spring of 2020, many hubs borrowed elements of a Community Supported Agriculture model- which guarantees a market for farmers, provides customers a food box on a regular schedule, and strives to match the needs of farmers and growers. Local food hubs, even those that didn’t run CSAs, were able to collaborate with partners and use these models to manage this massive market …

Findings and recommendations from Wallace Center led research into local- and regional- sourcing contractors participating in the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program

Findings from the 2019 Food Hub Survey

FSLN Mentorship …

Facilitation Guide to Racial Equity Coffee Chats

The goal of this study is to examine factors that have led food hubs to close their doors. Many studies have been conducted on successful food hubs, but USDA hopes to fill a knowledge gap by using national data and case studies to draw general lessons from food hub failures. By identifying lessons learned from these cases, we hope this information will assist new and existing food hubs overcome barriers to …

This is a sample chart of accounts for a food hub to help you ensure you are tracking the right financial measures for your …

This is the third volume in a series on the fundamentals of running a food hub. The purpose of this report is to provide benchmarks for established and emerging food hubs to use as a comparison for assessing their own financial viability and for making strategic business …

Findings From the 2018 Food Hub Financial Benchmarking …

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Update on Water Deliveries to Native Communities in the …

Building an Economy for People & …

This guide to Peer Coaching has been developed by the Social Enterprise Academy to support learners taking part in the Nesta Creative Enterprise Programme delivered in partnership with the British …

The deep changes necessary to accelerate progress against society’s most intractable problems require someone who catalyzes collective …

With sample project budget, income & expenditure budget, cashflow forecast, capital budget, and consolidated …

This is a sample chart of accounts for nonprofits which can offer guidance on how to track and manage your …

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Agenda template for staff …

Nonprofit Budget …

From the Social Enterprise Associates, this brief is for non-profits interested in new methods of generating revenue for organizations via earned income. It’s purpose is to assist organizations, its leaders, and its staff, as they tackle social enterprise and begin taking the necessary steps to form an action …

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Draft set of questions that can be asked when planning or rethinking a project to ensure an equity …

Racial equity tools are designed to integrate explicit consideration of racial equity in decisions, including policies, practices, programs, and budgets. It is both a product and a process. Use of a racial equity tool can help to develop strategies and actions that reduce racial inequities and improve success for all groups. The Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) – a joint project of The Haas Institute and the Center for Social Inclusion – has developed this Tool for community-based organizations, elected officials, government staff, and other interested individuals to understand and analyze how proposed and existing projects can incorporate equity throughout the development, implementation, and evaluation phases of …

This report shares an analysis of what it means to build a racially equitable food system–from field to farm to fork–and lays out steps toward achieving that …

From the Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University, this annotated bibliography provides current research and outreach on structural racism in the U.S. food system for the food system practitioner, researcher, and educator. This resources identifies literature that links the social construction of Whiteness and its intentional or consequential impact on structural racism within the United States’ local food movement. It is focused on recent peer-reviewed and gray literature* materials that are national, regional, and local in scope that included significant references. The seventh edition contains 279 sources, including 10 new videos and 46 new journal …

Detailed agenda with guiding questions that can be used for hosting discussions around racial equity in the food …

Step by step guidance for conducting a peer coaching …

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Over the past ten years, investment in local food systems focused on rebuilding eroded physical food systems infrastructure like aggregation and processing facilities and delivery and transportation logistics. Recently food systems practitioners are starting to redevelop the “soft” or “social infrastructure.” This quicksheet looks at the value of funding the value chain and the positive impact it can have on a viable regional food …

Convening groups of stakeholders is an important facet of value chain coordination work. Meetings offer an opportunity to capture diverse stakeholder perspectives and surveys can be an effective way to understand relationship connectivity in the group. This quicksheet offers two survey approaches that can be used to track VCC relationship-building efforts through convening events. Each approach includes explanations of data collection, examples of results, and pros and cons of each approach, to allow you to choose the best method for your organization’s …

This quicksheet describes value chain coordination as a set of roles that foster soft infrastructure development to build regional economies and communities. Strong soft infrastructure, in the form of skills, competencies and relationships, provides the ability for individuals and organizations to acquire and utilize hard infrastructure in their …

This toolkit is designed to help new and emerging healthy food system value chain efforts. While it draws heavily from the experience of Appalachian Sustainable Development, including particularly its Appalachian Harvest network, it also includes ideas, challenges and insights from other value chain and food system initiatives, both within Appalachia and other parts of the country. The toolkit is intended to be a hands on resource which can help spur new thinking, help refine plans, and perhaps help guide implementation of new and emerging food system …

Definitions and characterization of “Values-Based Value …

This document is designed to provide guidance on how food value chains are initiated and structured, how they function, and the benefits they provide to participants, with the intent of encouraging their adoption where the opportunities for successful collaboration …

Case Study on ALBA (California) GroupGAP …

A Manager’s Guide to Food Hub Finances – Companion Resource Companion Resource to the Manager’s Guide for Food Hub …

Finances for food …

This report outlines a plan for key legislative changes, public and private investments, infrastructure improvements, and partnerships to improve the food system in New York …

This case study traces Common Market’s exploratory process, product trials, and relationship building that ultimately led to its first branded, source-identified local frozen …

The purpose of this project
is to develop a roadmap for cities to create innovative, resilient and productive local and regional food systems that deliver
near-term benefits and sustainable value.

This report examines the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of eight diverse food value chains to glean practical lessons about how they operate, the challenges they face, and how they take advantage of emerging opportunities for marketing differentiated food …

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This report chronicles the impacts of Rutgers Food Innovation Center’s broader social mission and catalogue its efforts to achieve these …

August 2020 USDA Rules on Conducting Remote Food Safety …

A guide to a group’s journey to USDA GroupGAP certification.

A buyer-facing resource explaining the USDA GroupGAP program.

Managing Cash Flow for a Low-Capital Food Hub Start-up For food hubs, or businesses that aggregate and distribute local food, limited funds can be a barrier to growth. This publication explains the idea of cash flow and how food hub managers can use it to their advantage, drawing on the real-world experiences of the Iowa Food Hub, which collaborated with the Leopold Center and ISU Extension and Outreach to compile this information. …

Running a Food Hub Volume 1: Lessons Learned from the Field The first in a multi-volume series on food hubs, the USDA released a 2015 report that includes best practices and in-depth profiles of food hub …

Running a Food Hub Volume 2: Business Operations Guide The report’s main focus is on the operational issues faced by food hubs, including choosing an organizational structure, choosing a location, deciding on infrastructure and equipment, logistics and transportation, human resources, and risks. …

An Introduction to GroupGAP Overview of …

USDA GroupGAP Fact Sheet None. …

Small Farmers Can Make Food Safety Work – The Group GAP Pilot Project in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula This pilot project investigated group food safety certification as a scale-neutral, cost effective alternative to individual certification by looking at a pilot project based at the Upper Peninsula Food Exchange in …

Overcoming Obstacles to Local Frozen Produce Common Market, a distributor of local farm food in Philadelphia, PA, launched its line of local, source-identified frozen produce in October 2013. The shipment of its first cases of frozen spinach was the culmination of several years of research, site visits, interviews, and product testing all aimed at answering “the local frozen question.” …

Beyond Beauty – The Opportunities and Challenges of Cosmetically Imperfect Produce Report #1 Report No. 1: Survey Results from Minnesota Produce Growers exploring the possibilities for expanding market opportunities for cosmetically imperfect fruits and vegetables. …

Beyond Beauty – The Opportunities and Challenges of Cosmetically Imperfect Produce Report #2 Report No. 2: Interview findings with Minnesota Produce Growers exploring the possibilities for expanding market opportunities for cosmetically imperfect fruits and vegetables. …

Healthy Food and Small Stores A report on innovations to improve access to nutritious, affordable food in small stores—including corner stores, bodegas, convenience stores, fuel-based retail and rural grocers—a key factor in access for underserved communities. Year …

Beyond Beauty – Hunger Relief Report This installment in the Beyond Beauty series explores how foodbanks in Minnesota have sourced locally grown fruits and vegetables, including cosmetically imperfects, and the lessons emerging from their experience. Year …

Beyond Beauty – Collegiate Food Service – Report #5 Opportunities for cosmetically imperfect produce in the college food service market. Year …

Beyond Beauty – Summary of Findings – July 2016 The Beyond Beauty initiative explored the possibilities for expanding market opportunities for cosmetically imperfect fruits and vegetables. This document surfaces the major findings of the project. …

Comparison Chart for Certifying as a Group There are several methods farmers have used to certify as a group. This is a succinct chart comparing 5 options, including …

Harvesting Opportunity – The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities A collaboration between the Federal Reserve and USDA, this report focuses on regional food systems as a means for enhancing economic opportunity. Year …

Growing Local – A Community Guide to Planning for Agriculture and Food Systems This guide is meant to help community members work with local governments to advance plans and policies to support agriculture and food production, and provide access to healthy food to all community members. Year …

Findings of the 2017 National Food Hub Survey Findings of the third biennial National Food Hub Survey finds that Food hubs—businesses that actively manage the aggregation and distribution of source-identified food products—are an essential component of scaling up local food systems and a flagship model of socially conscious …

Findings of the 2017 National Food Hub Survey – Executive Summary Infographic-style executive summary of findings of the third biennial National Food Hub Survey conducted by Michigan State University’s Center for Regional Food Systems and Wallace Center at Winrock International. Year 2018 …

Tech Guide for Food Hubs To better help you assess your technology needs and evaluate your options, this Tech Guide for Food Hubs describes a systematic approach for undertaking a technology search process. Year …

Value Chain Strategies for Source-Identified Minimally Processed Produce for the School Market WSDA analyzed minimally processed fruits & vegetable supply chains in Washington State in order to identify strategies for developing the “value chain” infrastructure and relationships that might help local farms meet the demand for those products from K-12 schools and other institutional buyers. Year …

Reframing Food Hubs – Food Hubs, Racial Equity, and Self-Determination in the South This paper is not an exhaustive overview of food hub and co-op work, rather it is intended to amplify and make visible some of the voices, concerns, histories, and work of communities of color to offer a new narrative of good food work for the broader field — one that paves a way forward that is rooted in racial equity. Year …

Equitable Food Oriented Development Brown Paper Equitable Food Oriented Development (EFOD) is a development strategy that uses food and agriculture to create economic opportunities, healthy neighborhoods, and explicitly seeks to build community assets, pride, and power by and with historically marginalized communities. Read the Brown Paper written by the EFOD …

Financing Sustainable Foods Presentation Slides for the Getting Banks to “Yes” with small diversified …