By Matt Kneece, CFSA South Carolina Policy Coordinator | Thursday, May 18, 2023 –
The Local Farms and Food Act is bipartisan legislation that could be added to the 2023 Farm Bill, bolstering funding for critical federal grant programs that drive local food system investments.
Introduced in both the House and Senate in late April 2023, LFFA enhances the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) to support food system infrastructure investments and value-chain coordination, makes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) more accessible at farmers markets, and supports nutrition incentive programs for families to purchase fruits and vegetables in their local communities.
As the main target of LFFA’s reform, LAMP is an umbrella program that houses grants utilized by local and regional food systems nationwide. These include:
- Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP)
- Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP)
- Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG).
These critical programs kept local food supply chains alive and functioning during the pandemic and other recent economic disruptions.
These critical programs kept local food supply chains alive and functioning during the pandemic and other recent economic disruptions. Please watch our LAMP video above for more information on these important programs.
LFFA not only protects LAMP but increases access to its grant programs by simplifying applications and scaling cost-share requirements. The bill also reduces barriers for organizations to participate in the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which encourages the purchase of fruits and vegetables among SNAP participants.
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association supports LFFA and advocates for its full inclusion in the 2023 Farm Bill.
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