As part of the USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, the Farmers to Families Food Box Program is accepting requests for proposals to contract American-grown products to fill food boxes and distribute them to those in need.
Include all parts of the proposal in one single email. Deadline to apply is this Friday, May 1 by 1 p.m. To apply and for questions, email ERacquisition@usda.gov.
Request for proposal document can be found at https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/RFP_ERAcquisition.pdf.
The program falls under the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities Act (CARES) passed by Congress in late March to support the overall economy. USDA will purchase $3 billion worth of agricultural products for producers to work with local and regional food distributors to deliver the food to food banks and food pantries, community and faith-based organizations and other feeding organizations.
Producers must submit a request for proposal of pre-approved commodities for contracted distribution indicating sizes, quantities and specific details. If awarded the contract, the producer is responsible for sourcing the products, preparing the boxes, soliciting and communicating with the nonprofit entity, and distributing the boxes in a mutually agreed upon schedule.
For more information and for frequently asked questions, go here,
https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/farmers-to-families-food-box.