Wallace Center

This renewed USDA investment in local and equitable food systems is a huge validation of what can be achieved when we prioritize #farmers who've been underserved. Congrats to USDA for its vision, and to Wallace Center, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and many many others who have contributed to the success of this work.

We applaud the USDA’s commitment to strengthening local and regional supply chains through its recent announcement of an additional $500M for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA). LFPA is one of the most successful initiatives from the USDA, helping farmers and producers stabilize their businesses, support the production of local food, and provide nutritious food for those most in need. And it provides a mechanism to bridge the food system and anti-hunger sectors in a way that allows food producers and food access organizations to meet their respective goals – economic viability and an end to hunger.   In partnership with food systems leaders around the country, the Wallace Center published these eight spotlight stories to help raise awareness of this catalytic initiative and generate widespread support for the creation of a permanent local food purchasing program. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gf4CNJet  

𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗡𝗦𝗔𝗖 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗱 𝗨𝗦𝗗𝗔’𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 In the midst of a challenging news cycle, we are celebrating a big win, as yesterday, USDA announced additional funding for local food purchases - specifically:  🥕 $500 million for Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) 🥕 $500 million for Local Food in Schools  🥕 $200 million for a new, local food in child care facilities initiative  🥕 $500 million for Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)   “The impact of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) has exceeded all initial expectations among our membership. The LFPA program eliminated burdensome and time-consuming applications and instead allowed states to work closely with their existing regional networks to identify farmers ready to scale operations and recipient agencies that existing emergency food assistance programs have underserved,” said Hannah Quigley, MPH, NSAC Policy Specialist. 🗞️ Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/eipPF7bB

I consider it one of the greatest blessings of my life that I got to grow up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. My family has deep roots in Applachia and I can't imagine loving any place more. I am at a loss for words this past week, watching the devestation that Hurricane Helene wrought in Western NC and elsewhere. But I am deeply inspired by how Carolinians are coming together to mobilize mutual aid and distaster relief. There are so many immediate needs - to help folks get water, food, gasoline, shelter, and emergency support. But we know that it will take months - and even years - to rebuild. If you are able to, please consider setting up a recurring donation to one of the many mutual aid efforts, disaster relief programs, and non-profits that are supporting these communities. Thank you to Carolina Farm Stewardship Association for putting together this list of resources and places where you can plug in to donate, volunteer and support. https://lnkd.in/eBmiF6-F

Reflections of our retreat with the Arkansas Food Systems Fellowship, last week September 16th -18th at Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. I was so grateful for the opportunity to work alongside an incredible group committed to strengthening the Arkansas food systems their passion and dedication are inspiring, and I'm looking forward to continue working with this cohort. Thank you Andrew Carberry for your leadership it was a pleasure to work with you! Special shout out to Wallace Center and Winrock International. #leadership #nextlevel #food

I’m thrilled to be a 2024 Arkansas Food Systems fellow! I’m one of 24 Arkansan fellows who, over the next four months, will work to realize a more just and sustainable food system in the state. We’ll get together in person and connect virtually to understand the forces that have shaped Arkansas’ agricultural system and explore collective steps towards systems-wide change. Thanks to the Food Systems Leadership Network at the Wallace Center for this opportunity! Learn more about the fellowship here: https://lnkd.in/gJ3U5z8V. #Wallacecenter #foodsystems

I’m thrilled to be a 2024 Arkansas Food Systems fellow! I’m one of 24 Arkansan fellows who, over the next four months, will work to realize a more just and sustainable food system in the state. We’ll get together in person and connect virtually to understand the forces that have shaped Arkansas’ agricultural system and explore collective steps towards systems-wide change. Thanks to the Food Systems Leadership Network at the Wallace Center for this opportunity! #Wallacecenter #foodsystems

I’m thrilled to be a 2024 Arkansas Food Systems fellow! I’m one of 24 Arkansan fellows who, over the next four months, will work to realize a more just and sustainable food system in the state. We’ll get together in person and connect virtually to understand the forces that have shaped Arkansas’ agricultural system and explore collective steps towards systems-wide change. Thanks to the Food Systems Leadership Network at the Wallace Center for this opportunity! Learn more about the fellowship at https://lnkd.in/gizDSc8f. #Wallacecenter #foodsystems

I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the 2024 Arkansas Food Systems Fellowship as a facilitator! I will work with this group for the next four months, working on a sustainable food system in the state. We’ll get together in person and connect virtually to understand the forces that have shaped Arkansas’ agricultural system and explore collective steps toward systems-wide change. Thanks to the Food Systems Leadership Network at the Wallace Center for this opportunity! Learn more about the fellowship here: https://lnkd.in/gHFtz42g #Wallacecenter #FoodSystems #Leadership #Sustainability #Arkansas

I’m thrilled to be assisting the Wallace Center with our cohort of 2024 Arkansas Food Systems fellows this week! We are together this week to explore solutions for improving our Arkansas Food System. Our team member Sarah Bakker is one of 24 Arkansan fellows who, over the next four months, will work to realize a more just and sustainable food system in the state. Thanks to the Food Systems Leadership Network at the Wallace Center for this opportunity and collaboration! Learn more about the fellowship here: https://lnkd.in/eBExG2Pw. #Wallacecenter #foodsystems #localfood