Farm to Food Assistance Programs

July 1, 2026

Written by Bonnie Murphy, Regional Farm to Food Bank Program

The Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement Program demonstrated that strategic investments in local food systems can strengthen agricultural economies while improving food access. Despite its broad success, federal funding for LFPA was eliminated in 2025.

Recognizing the program’s value, New Mexico secured a one-year, $2 million appropriation for Regional Farm to Food Bank (RF2FB) during the 2026 legislative session. This investment will continue purchasing locally produced foods for the statewide emergency feeding network in Fiscal Year 2027. New Mexico is one of only a handful of states that has committed state resources to continue this work. While this investment provides an important bridge, long-term nationwide success will require federal partnership.

Congress now has an opportunity to build on LFPA’s success through the reauthorization of the Farm Bill. The Food and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567), recently passed by the House of Representatives, includes the Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act (H.R. 4782),. The Act would provide LFPA-like support for local and regional food systems. In the Senate, the proposed Strengthening Local Food Security Act (S. 2338) would establish long-term federal support for local food purchasing and emergency food distribution.

To continue this progress and ensure these benefits reach communities for years to come, Congress would need to include dedicated, long-term funding for LFPA style programs in the final Farm Bill.

For more information on New Mexico’s Regional Farm to Food Bank Program, please visit: nmfoodbanks.org