Penn State Extension's Food Systems and Local Foods team will offer a webinar titled "Local Food Purchasing Program With Feeding Pennsylvania: Producer Information Session" on Wednesday, April 13, at noon.
The webinar will discuss upcoming new opportunities for interested Pennsylvania producers and processors to sell to Pennsylvania's food bank system. These opportunities will be available as part of the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program, established by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service as part of the "Build Back Better" initiative, authorized by the American Rescue Plan. The project is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in partnership with Feeding Pennsylvania, a statewide network of food banks. Like Pennsylvania's established Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) program, the new initiative will reimburse growers and food processors for production and other costs.
During the webinar, representatives of Feeding Pennsylvania and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank will describe participation logistics, compensation, and how the program can support the food waste reduction and wholesale marketing efforts of Pennsylvania growers and food processors. Small-, medium-, and large-scale fruit and vegetable growers from urban and rural settings, livestock and dairy farmers, and licensed food-processing businesses are encouraged to attend.
The webinar is free of charge. To register, visit https://extension.psu.edu/ and search for the program title or call Registration Services at 877-345-0691. For more information, contact Becky Clawson at bclawson@psu.edu or 717-283-2598.
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