Through the USDA's Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), Arizona is eligible to receive $4.4 million for food assistance purchases of domestic local foods for distribution to schools. This program will strengthen the food system for schools by helping to build a fair, competitive, and resilient local food chain, and expand local and regional markets with an emphasis on purchasing from historically underserved producers and processors.

In June, Pinnacle Prevention, on behalf of the Arizona Department of Education, will be hosting listening sessions with local food producers, distributors, school food service practitioners and community stakeholders to understand needs and to help inform a state-wide approach and program design.