USDA Announces Its Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement with Tennessee

Sep 28, 2022

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has signed a cooperative agreement with Tennessee under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA). Through LFPA, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) seeks to purchase and distribute locally grown, produced, and processed food from underserved producers.

“USDA is excited to partner with Tennessee to promote economic opportunities for farmers and producers and to increase access to locally sourced, fresh, healthy, and nutritious food in underserved communities,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The Local Food Purchase Cooperative Agreement Program will improve food and agricultural supply-chain resiliency and increase local food consumption around the country.”

With the LFPA funding, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) will partner with Tennessee’s Feeding America Food Banks to procure and distribute local and regional foods and beverages produced by underserved farmers. These healthy and nutritious produce and beverages, that are unique to Tennessee’s geographical region, will be distributed to insecure population in the state’s underserved communities.

“There is nothing quite like eating a delicious and healthy meal made with fresh, local ingredients,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, said. “The LFPA will not only increase access to those ingredients for our neighbors in need. It will also benefit our farmers who contribute to the safest, most nutritious food system in the world. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is proud to take part in this program.”

The LFPA program is authorized by the American Rescue Plan to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. Through this program, USDA will award up to $400 million through non-competitive cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments to support local, regional, and underserved producers through the purchase of food produced within the state or within 400 miles of delivery destination.

AMS looks forward to continuing to sign agreements under this innovative program that allows state and tribal governments to procure and distribute local and regional foods and beverages that are healthy, nutritious, and unique to their geographic area.

Source : usda.gov

Video: New Solution Powers Efficient Pork Growth

Alltech has introduced Olerix, an innovative phytogenic blend created to promote growth and feed efficiency in pigs. Through a proprietary coating process, the bioactive blend of phytogenic compounds used in Olerix is designed to outlast the manufacturing process, ensuring consistent outcomes from feed to finish. The result is a high-impact efficiency solution that provides consistent support for gut health, feed efficiency, immune function and growth performance. Olerix is backed by validated trials conducted under modern pork production conditions.

“As the industry searches for technology to drive profitability forward in a more sustainable manner, we’re thrilled to join that effort with our Olerix technology,” said Mark Hulsebus, general manager for U.S. pork at Alltech. “Our work in this phytogenic space is yielding very encouraging results, and we’re excited to make this new opportunity available to pork producers focused on optimizing feed efficiency and growth rates.”

“Olerix represents the next generation of phytogenic technology — combining feed efficiency, livability and immune support into a practical commercial solution producers can implement today,” said Andy Rash, U.S. monogastric director at Alltech.