Farm to Food Bank Projects

What is a Food Bank?

A food bank is a nonprofit, charitable organization that stocks and stores food that includes basic provisions and non-perishable items. This food is then distributed to food pantries, where the items are provided to individuals who are in need or are unable to purchase food. Food banks are an integral part of states’ food emergency services, which help distribute food during times of disasters.

In Kansas, there are three major food banks:

• Kansas Food Bank;
• Harvesters—The Community Food Network; and
• Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph.

These organizations work with more than 550 charitable food pantries throughout the state to distribute food products to those in need.

What is a Farm to Food Bank Project?

Farm to Food Bank Projects are defined in federal regulation (7 CFR 251.10(j)) as “the harvesting, processing, packaging, or transportation of unharvested, unprocessed, or unpackaged commodities donated by agricultural producers, processors, or distributors for use by emergency feeding organizations (EFOs).” These projects coordinate a logistical supply chain for local food producers to sell or donate their produce to food banks so that food banks can provide fresh produce to those in need, along with the traditional non-perishable items.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the purposes of Farm to Food Bank Projects must be:

• Reducing food waste at the agricultural production, processing, or distribution level through the donation of food;
• Providing food for individuals in need; and
• Building relationships between agricultural producers, processors, and distributors and EFOs.

Farm to Food Bank Projects in Kansas

In 2022, the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) was awarded a $2.5 million cooperative agreement under the USDA Marketing Service’s Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Program to fund and organize a Farm to Food Bank Project. The KDA partnered with the three major Kansas food banks to distribute fresh produce to food pantries to provide to the underserved and those in need.

According to the KDA, $2.3 million worth of local food was provided to 365 local pantries and mobile sites serving 187 cities across 98 counties in the first year of the program. In 2023, the KDA was awarded an additional $2.5 million to continue the LFPA Program through 2024 or until the funds were spent.

2024 HB 2564

During the 2024 Legislative Session, HB 2564 was introduced in the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. The bill would have established the LFPA Program in statute to expand it beyond the current duration of the federal grant program. The House Committee added a sunset date of July 1, 2025, for the program. The KDA noted the bill would have increased expenditures from the State General Fund by $1.0 million, which would fund state grants to eligible organizations. After the House Committee recommended the bill be passed, as amended, the bill died on the House Calendar.