Letter

Dear Administrator Summers,

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) writes to you requesting at least a 30-day extension for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement (LFS) Request for Application.

NASDA represents the commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the state departments of agriculture in all 50 states and 4 U.S. territories. State departments of agriculture are responsible for a wide range of programs including food safety, ensuring all individuals within the states have access to nutritious food resources, and sustaining resiliency across our supply chain. To this point, I am hearing from several of our member states about the need to extend the application period for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement program.

NASDA appreciates USDA taking an invested interest in helping the states deal with the challenges of supply chain disruptions brought on by the pandemic. With the same state agencies having responsibility for the execution of many of the programs developed to strengthen resiliency across the food system, the states need more time for the application process. NASDA members stand ready to help provide recommendations and support to ensure these new investments are successful for the state agencies carrying out this important work.

As always, we appreciate you, your team, and your good work as USDA develops a plan to purchase domestically produced food and bolster our food supply chain. Thank you for your consideration on this important matter.

Sincerely,

Ted McKinney
Chief Executive Officer

Cc: Elizabeth Lober, Assistant to the Deputy Administrator, AMS Commodity Procurement Program, USDA

Date Sent:

July 14, 2022

Sender:

NASDA CEO Ted McKinney

Recipient:

USDA Administrator Bruce Summers

Subject:

Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement (LFS) Applications