Contact: 
Arizona Department of Education
Health and Nutrition Services
602-542-8700
[email protected]
[use Subject line: "LFS Inquiry"]
The USDA's Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) is designed to help states deal with the challenges of supply chain disruptions brought on by the pandemic. The Arizona Department of Education is using LFS funds to launch a new campaign called Try it Local.

Through Try it Local, schools operating the National School Lunch Program can be reimbursed for purchasing unprocessed or minimally processed local or regional produced food purchased and used in school meal programs.  Funds aim to support socially disadvantaged food producers and/or small businesses.  ADE memo, HNS 09-2023, provides program guidance.
​If you are interested in receiving one-on-one assistance or participating in the Arizona Department of Education's Try It Local, please complete this survey.
​An ADE Health and Nutrition Services specialist will respond to your request promptly. 
New [July 2024] Resources available from "Try It Local"
For Farmers and Food Producers For School Food Authorities [SFAs]
Additional Resources for schools locating local food and food producers