Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA AMS 10185 CPLFS000 22 0001
The Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) is a USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) funding opportunity designed to help state governments buy and distribute domestically produced, locally grown foods for schools. The core purpose is to strengthen local and regional food supply chains by directing school food purchasing toward nearby producers and businesses, while also expanding market access for small businesses and for farmers and producers who are socially disadvantaged. In practice, the program uses cooperative agreements to support states as they set up or expand purchasing and distribution systems that move local food into K-12 school channels.
A central feature of LFS is that funding is awarded to state governments only, with AMS making a single award per state. This means that if multiple agencies within a state want to run or help manage the program, they are expected to coordinate and submit a unified approach rather than competing applications. While eligibility is limited to states, the program is structured to allow and encourage partnerships. States may work with local or regional organizations, such as food hubs, producer cooperatives, distributors, nonprofit partners, or other entities that can help with aggregation, processing, storage, transportation, procurement, and delivery into school nutrition programs.
The program emphasizes purchases from three key groups: local producers, small businesses, and socially disadvantaged farmers and producers. AMS signals a strong preference for applications that intentionally benefit these groups and that include them in project design. In other words, states are encouraged not just to buy food from these suppliers, but to engage them early so the program reflects real-world needs and reduces barriers to participation, such as procurement complexity, packaging requirements, insurance, food safety documentation, or delivery logistics.
LFS also aims for lasting impact beyond the period of federal funding. AMS specifically indicates that it wants the purchasing relationships and distribution channels created through the program to continue after the cooperative agreement ends. That makes the program as much about building durable market connections and infrastructure as it is about the immediate purchase of food. Competitive applications would typically be expected to show how the state will sustain supplier relationships, maintain procurement pathways, and keep schools connected to local sources once the initial investment is over.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, LFS is a mandatory funding opportunity using the cooperative agreement instrument, which generally implies a more active federal partnership than a standard grant. The total amount available nationally is up to $200 million, supported by funds authorized under Section 5(c) of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 USC 714c(c)). The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 10.185 (Agriculture, Food and Nutrition) and is administered by USDA AMS. The funding opportunity number is USDA AMS 10185 CPLFS000 22 0001. The posting indicates an expected 50 awards, aligning with the one-award-per-state structure. The notice also lists an award ceiling of $0, which typically signals that the ceiling is not specified in that field rather than implying no funding, with the overall pool capped at the national total.
Key dates in the source notice show a creation date of March 17, 2022 and an original closing date of June 17, 2022. The full announcement provides the eligibility requirements, required application forms, and instructions that states must follow to apply for an LFS cooperative agreement, along with guidance on how projects should be structured to prioritize local purchasing, support targeted producer groups, and deliver food to schools effectively.Apply for USDA AMS 10185 CPLFS000 22 0001
- The Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service in the agriculture, food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.185.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 17, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 17, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) - FAQs
What is the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS)?
LFS is a USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) funding opportunity that helps state governments buy and distribute domestically produced, locally grown foods for K-12 schools. The program is designed to increase local school food purchasing and strengthen local and regional food supply chains.
What is the main purpose of LFS?
The core purpose is to direct school food purchasing toward nearby producers and businesses in order to strengthen local and regional supply chains. The program also aims to expand market access for small businesses and for farmers and producers who are socially disadvantaged.
Who is eligible to apply for LFS funding?
Only state governments are eligible to apply. The program makes a single award per state, so eligibility is limited to states rather than individual school districts, nonprofits, or private businesses.
Can multiple agencies within a state apply separately?
No. Because AMS makes one award per state, multiple agencies within the same state are expected to coordinate and submit a unified approach rather than submitting competing applications.
If only states can apply, can other organizations still be involved?
Yes. While eligibility is limited to state governments, the program is structured to allow and encourage partnerships. States may work with local or regional organizations to support aggregation, processing, storage, transportation, procurement, and delivery into school nutrition programs.
What kinds of partner organizations may states work with?
Examples mentioned include food hubs, producer cooperatives, distributors, nonprofit partners, and other entities that can help move local food through the supply chain and into K-12 school channels.
What does LFS funding support in practice?
LFS uses cooperative agreements to support states as they set up or expand purchasing and distribution systems that move local food into schools. This includes building or improving the pathways needed for procurement and delivery of local foods to school nutrition programs.
What types of suppliers does the program emphasize?
The program emphasizes purchases from (1) local producers, (2) small businesses, and (3) socially disadvantaged farmers and producers. AMS indicates a strong preference for projects that intentionally benefit these groups.
Is there a preference for including targeted suppliers in planning?
Yes. AMS signals that competitive applications should not only purchase food from local producers, small businesses, and socially disadvantaged farmers and producers, but also include them in project design and engage them early.
What barriers does LFS aim to reduce for farmers, producers, and small businesses?
The notice highlights common barriers such as procurement complexity, packaging requirements, insurance, food safety documentation, and delivery logistics. Projects are encouraged to reflect real-world supplier needs and reduce these barriers to participation.
Does LFS focus only on short-term food purchasing?
No. LFS is designed to create lasting impact beyond the period of federal funding. AMS indicates it wants the purchasing relationships and distribution channels created through the program to continue after the cooperative agreement ends.
What does "lasting impact" mean in the context of LFS?
It means building durable market connections and procurement/distribution pathways so schools remain connected to local sources even after the initial federal investment is over. Competitive applications would typically be expected to show how these relationships and channels will be sustained.
What federal agency administers LFS?
The program is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
What is the funding instrument used for LFS?
LFS uses the cooperative agreement instrument, which generally implies a more active federal partnership than a standard grant.
How much funding is available under LFS?
The total amount available nationally is up to $200 million.
Where does the funding authority come from?
The funds are supported by authority under Section 5(c) of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 USC 714c(c)).
How many awards are expected?
The posting indicates an expected 50 awards, which aligns with the one-award-per-state structure.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 10.185 (Agriculture, Food and Nutrition).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA AMS 10185 CPLFS000 22 0001.
Why does the notice list an award ceiling of $0?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $0, which typically indicates the ceiling was not specified in that field, rather than implying that no funding is available. The overall funding is capped at the national total amount listed for the program.
What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?
The source notice shows a creation date of March 17, 2022 and an original closing date of June 17, 2022.
Where can applicants find instructions and required forms?
The full announcement provides eligibility requirements, required application forms, and instructions for states to apply for an LFS cooperative agreement, along with guidance on structuring projects to prioritize local purchasing and effective delivery to schools.
Is the program focused on K-12 schools specifically?
Yes. The opportunity description focuses on buying and distributing locally grown foods for schools and delivering food into K-12 school channels and school nutrition programs.
What kinds of supply chain activities are referenced as part of distribution systems?
The description references aggregation, processing, storage, transportation, procurement, and delivery as functions that may be supported through state partnerships to move food into schools.
Does this opportunity allow applications from school districts or nonprofits directly?
No. Based on the eligibility information provided, awards are made to state governments only. However, school districts, nonprofits, and other organizations may be involved as partners under a state-led application.
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