While the USDA has several definitions of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, or socially-disadvantaged prodcers, the LFPA-specific definition is as follows: is a group whose members have been subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and, where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. Sometimes the term “historically-underserved” is used to describe farmers that have not received fair access to funding for their farm businesses. Sex, gender, veteran status, immigrant or refugee status, and age including beginner and early career farmers are other statuses that are considered to be the focus of the LFPA program. If you are or know a farmer who identifies as part of one of these groups, please contact us to learn more.

The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) awards federal funds to states and tribal governments to buy food from local and socially disadvantaged farmers to provide to underserved communities. Here in NJ, the program is called Jersey Fresh for All. NJ Department of Agriculture selected the Community Food Bank of NJ to be the lead organization to implement LFPA . Other partners are Common Market and NJFDC. Round 1 of LFPA is for two years (2023 & 2024). LFPA Plus is a third year of funding for NJ to continue to purchase food from historically underserved and socially-disadvantaged producers in NJ for distribution through the state’s five food banks.

Fill out the form below. NJFDC will contact you about next steps. If you want to talk or have questions, contact us.

Our number is 609-857-1335.

Email address, NJFDC@foodshedalliance.org.

NJ Food Democracy Collaborative's role in Jersey Fresh for All is to speak with and learn from farmers to help better understand what their farm businesses need to grow. We especially need to hear from farms that have not typically participated in federal or state funding programs in the past. We are paying farmers for participating in an interview, focus group, or survey with us. What we learn will remain anoymous, unless you tell us otherwise. NJFDC is also looking at existing and potential farm-to-pantry models and making recommendations to the Community Food Bank of NJ and NJ Department of Agriculture to improve purchasing from NJ producers long-term.

We are holding focus groups & interviews with NJ farmers to inform a more accurate picture of farmers & farming in the Garden State. We'll also talk about your farm's readiness to take part in LFPA and other federal funding programs. We especially should hear from farms that have not typically participated in federal or state funding programs in the past. Time spent in the focus group meeting will be compensated.

Email njfdc@foodshedalliance.org to learn when the next meeting is, and to set up a one-on-one meeting/interview.

The next focus group meeting is on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 4:30 pm, via Zoom. Click the button below to register. We will also be at the NOFA- NJ Winter Conference on Jan. 27 and at the Fruit and Vegetable Convention on February 6-8 in Atlantic City, with the Jersey Fresh for All Farmer Survey,