(SPARKS, Nev.) -
August 25, 2022In an effort to support Nevada agriculture and
improve food security for Nevadans in need, the Home Feeds Nevada Agriculture
Food Purchase program was established through Senate Bill 370 and passed during
the 81st Legislative Session. Through this
program, the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) will purchase foods that
are grown, produced or processed in Nevada and distribute them through
designated food banks to populations in need.
“Our staff at the NDA have been
working hard to address food security, and the impact this program will have on
Nevadans in need and the agricultural community is immense,” said NDA Director
Jennifer Ott. “Despite Nevada receiving federal funding for food security
annually, the pandemic exacerbated existing gaps in Nevada’s food system and revealed
weaknesses in serving our population. The State of Nevada’s $2 million
investment of American Rescue Plan Act funds to Home Feeds Nevada will expand
economic opportunities for Nevada’s agribusinesses and increase the supply of fresh,
local produce and nutritious foods to help ensure no Nevadan goes hungry.”
The NDA is
requesting applications from local farmers, ranchers, food producers and
processors interested in selling food to be used to fight food insecurity, and
from storage and transportation providers to help aggregate and transport food.
As vendors are
confirmed, food will be distributed through the Food Bank of Northern Nevada
and Three Square networks to Nevadans in need. Learn more about Home Feeds
Nevada and the application process at agri.nv.gov/HFN.
About the Nevada Department of Agriculture
The Nevada
Department of Agriculture (NDA) mission is to preserve, protect and
promote Nevada’s agriculture. The department has 225 dedicated employees
providing services in its five divisions, Administrative Services, Animal
Industry, Measurement Standards, Food and Nutrition, and Plant Health and
Compliance. The department’s $288 million budget facilitates regulatory and
administrative work in agriculture and food manufacturing industries,
protecting public and environmental health and worker safety, and providing
food distribution and oversight for the United States Department of
Agriculture’s school and community nutrition programs.