LFPA, LFPA Plus, and LFPA25 Recap & Update
WSDA Food Assistance (FA) has been responding to numerous inquiries regarding the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement with USDA, which was initially launched in 2022, and comprised of three funding rounds:
In December of 2024, USDA announced another round of funding called LFPA25 which included the condition that all LFPA and LFPA Plus funding must be spent before accessing the LFPA25 and it extended the funding through June 30, 2027. As of January 2025, WSDA had intended to request a no-cost extension for LFPA and LFPA Plus existing awards through June 30, 2026, and then to re-allocate all LFPA and LFPA Plus funding to Food Assistance programs for another round of funding. The “new” LFPA25 funds would then be utilized by the WSDA Director’s Office for implementation of a direct vendor/farmer purchasing model beginning July 1, 2026.
In late February, we were aware that there were concerns about these programs being funded but had not received any direct communications from USDA. On March 7th, WSDA received notification from USDA that while the LFPA and LFPA Plus funds and grant agreements would be honored, the "new" LFPA25 funding for 2025-2027 was officially terminated. It was unclear at that time if USDA would be granting any no cost extensions. WSDA leadership confirmed that it was prudent and necessary to move rapidly and re-allocate all LFPA and LFPA Plus funding to Food Assistance (over $3.7 million), which initially included a June 30, 2025, end date. Given the short timeframe and no guarantee of an extension, some LFPA agreement holders expressed concern, and so Food Assistance added the option of receiving food in lieu of funding. Food Assistance issued amendments between March 19 and March 21, 2025, and also added state funding through LFPA Gap.
On March 24th, USDA announced that cooperators (such as WSDA) of the LFPA programs may request a no-cost extension through December 31, 2026 – which we will do. Food Assistance will issue another round of amendments with an end date of December 31, 2025, and make funding adjustments for some organizations that were originally offered food in lieu of funding.
Food Assistance will finalize allocations by April 7, 2025, and request a no-cost extension from USDA the following week. Once USDA approves the no-cost extension, Food Assistance will issue new amendments – anticipated at the end of April. Any remaining funds as of December 31, 2025, will be returned to the Director’s Office to implement a procurement model (or similar) effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
WSDA Director Derek Sandison is keenly aware of and working on these issues. WSDA remains committed to supporting agricultural viability and food access and continues to monitor and support state and federal decisions and opportunities accordlingly. We will continue to pursue strategies that support the win/win of purchasing quality WA foods to increase food access for lower income Washingtonians with the resources we have.
Apologies for the roller coaster ride on the changing LFPA landscape but that is where we are at this point. We will continue to provide information as we become aware of any additional changes. Thank you for your patience, grace, and flexibility in times of uncertainty.
- LFPA ($4,320,000) – American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding 7/1/22-6/30/25 (seeking an extension through 12/31/25)
- LFPA Plus ($7,486,813) – Commodity Corporation Credit (CCC) Act funding – 7/1/23-6/30/25 (seeking an extension through 12/31/25)
- LFPA25 ($8,494,890) – CCC Act funding – announced in December 2024, no awards issued & funding terminated March 2025
In December of 2024, USDA announced another round of funding called LFPA25 which included the condition that all LFPA and LFPA Plus funding must be spent before accessing the LFPA25 and it extended the funding through June 30, 2027. As of January 2025, WSDA had intended to request a no-cost extension for LFPA and LFPA Plus existing awards through June 30, 2026, and then to re-allocate all LFPA and LFPA Plus funding to Food Assistance programs for another round of funding. The “new” LFPA25 funds would then be utilized by the WSDA Director’s Office for implementation of a direct vendor/farmer purchasing model beginning July 1, 2026.
In late February, we were aware that there were concerns about these programs being funded but had not received any direct communications from USDA. On March 7th, WSDA received notification from USDA that while the LFPA and LFPA Plus funds and grant agreements would be honored, the "new" LFPA25 funding for 2025-2027 was officially terminated. It was unclear at that time if USDA would be granting any no cost extensions. WSDA leadership confirmed that it was prudent and necessary to move rapidly and re-allocate all LFPA and LFPA Plus funding to Food Assistance (over $3.7 million), which initially included a June 30, 2025, end date. Given the short timeframe and no guarantee of an extension, some LFPA agreement holders expressed concern, and so Food Assistance added the option of receiving food in lieu of funding. Food Assistance issued amendments between March 19 and March 21, 2025, and also added state funding through LFPA Gap.
On March 24th, USDA announced that cooperators (such as WSDA) of the LFPA programs may request a no-cost extension through December 31, 2026 – which we will do. Food Assistance will issue another round of amendments with an end date of December 31, 2025, and make funding adjustments for some organizations that were originally offered food in lieu of funding.
Food Assistance will finalize allocations by April 7, 2025, and request a no-cost extension from USDA the following week. Once USDA approves the no-cost extension, Food Assistance will issue new amendments – anticipated at the end of April. Any remaining funds as of December 31, 2025, will be returned to the Director’s Office to implement a procurement model (or similar) effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
WSDA Director Derek Sandison is keenly aware of and working on these issues. WSDA remains committed to supporting agricultural viability and food access and continues to monitor and support state and federal decisions and opportunities accordlingly. We will continue to pursue strategies that support the win/win of purchasing quality WA foods to increase food access for lower income Washingtonians with the resources we have.
Apologies for the roller coaster ride on the changing LFPA landscape but that is where we are at this point. We will continue to provide information as we become aware of any additional changes. Thank you for your patience, grace, and flexibility in times of uncertainty.