The Oklahoma Local Farmers Programs for Underserved Populations identifies socially disadvantaged farmers and producers and providing an opportunity for them to distribute food products to local communities through partnerships with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. This partnership provides food to over 1700 pantries and communities with the state of Oklahoma serving rural, remote, and low-income families. This partnership between farmers/producers to food banks to pantries will expand economic development, not only for the producers, but for the communities they serve, long after the project ends.
Local farmers and producers are notified through public notices, grassroots organizations, and communities. Once local farmers/producers are identified for this project, the food banks can select local food products to provide to their underserved communities. There will also be opportunity for local farmers and producers to contract with current distributors and food hubs to increase expansion and income for their business.
Farmers approved through the clearinghouse will identify their products, quantities and service areas allowing the food banks and their local partners to select the items and the quantities amount that can best serve the community.
The additional funding of $4,223,634 through LFPA Plus will allow the food banks to increase service to underserved, remote, and low-income communities, provide opportunities for more farmers/producers to participate and current farmers/producers to increase volume of products and allow the State to extend the purchase and distribution one additional year through June 30, 2025.