Try it Local

The USDA’s Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) is designed to help states deal with the challenges of supply chain disruptions brought on by the pandemic. The Arizona Department of Education is using LFS funds to launch a new campaign called Try it Local.

Through Try it Local, schools operating the National School Lunch Program can be reimbursed for purchasing unprocessed or minimally processed local or regional produced food purchased and used in school meal programs.  Funds aim to support socially disadvantaged food producers and/or small businesses.  ADE memo, HNS 09-2023, provides program guidance.

The purpose of this form is to collect stories from you- the farmers, people, and organizations participating in Purchase Local Arizona- and to spread awareness of this program and how it is making a positive impact in our communities.

Please complete this submission form and share it with a partner. While the story you share can take many different forms, we hope to capture any pictures, videos, captions, or standalone narratives about your experiences with Purchase Local AZ and Friends of the Farm.