
Our Coalition Work
Farmers First
‘Farmers First’ is our 2025 advocacy campaign to protect Louisiana’s vegetable farmers amid massive federal cuts in support programs. Representative Jack MacFarland sponsored HR 205 in support of Louisiana’s farmers. Tune in for more updates on August 28th at 3:00 when the ‘dust has settled’ post-legislative session!
LSSAC
We act as the policy and advocacy arm of the Louisiana Small Scale Agriculture Coalition (LSSAC). LSSAC convenes organizations that provide regional assistance to specialty crop farmers in Louisiana. By serving the daily needs of farmers in LSSAC with classes, grants, training, and direct technical assistance, we can be in a reciprocal relationship with the farmers we advocate for.
Learn more about LSSAC at LSSAC.org.
Farm Bill
Louisiana FPAC convenes specialty crop farmers for farm bill advocacy when the time comes (whenever that is!). In 2022, we conducted a statewide listening session tour, developed a network of farmers in Louisiana, and created a unified Farm Bill Policy Platform.
Statewide Working Groups
As we scale up to a state-wide coalition, our working groups must grow and adapt to Louisiana's existing eco-system of food work. LaFPAC working groups include:
Seafood (check out Seafood Passport)
Climate and Disaster (check out ‘Don’t Get Caught With Your Plants Down’!)
Farm to ECE (Join monthly Farm to ECE calls.)
We do our Hunger and Nutrition work on a statewide level by participating in the incredible ongoing work of the State Nutrition Action Council.
Our Food Production working group is done via participation in LSSAC.
New Orleans Working Groups
Our New Orleans working groups include:
Business Development. Check out:
Food Access. Check out our work in connecting daycares to healthy local food through our Farm To ECE work
Food Production: Check out our work in coalition, moving the city towards more substantial support of urban agriculture, like getting an urban agriculture liaison for New Orleans via our ‘A Greener New Orleans’ Campaign.
Louisiana Food Policy Action Council Priorities 2025-2026
1. Increase Childhood Nutrition
Ensure the continuation of Summer EBT through legislative action
Expand Farm to School, including Early Care and Education (ECE) centers
Support Universal Free School Meals
Expand equitable summer feeding programs
Improve WIC access through increased enrollment and incentivization of retailers
Reinstate and support Grab-and-Go waivers for after-school programs
2. Increase Support for Food-Producing Farmers
Address land access and consider managed retreat due to coastal/climate threats (state & federal levels)
Support the adoption of the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act, and address farmland loss due to eminent domain and industrial pressure
Provide funding and technical assistance for small-scale, specialty crop, climate-smart, regenerative, and USDA-defined "socially disadvantaged" or underserved farmers
Support market development and marketing for specialty crops
3. Increase Access to Healthy Food
Expand and support farmers' markets
Increase WIC program participation and reach
Continue and expand funding for the Greaux the Good nutrition incentive program
Expand nutrition incentive programs in fresh food retail outlets
Scale up FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program) with statewide matching funds
Strengthen and expand Healthy Food Retailer Initiatives
Offer incentives for fresh food retail (e.g., tax incentives, land-use overlays, innovative local programs)
4. Leverage Federal Funding Opportunities
Work with state agencies and legislators to accept and equitably distribute federal funding
Partner with foundations and community-based funders to match or supplement federal funding
Allocate state dollars to match federal programs, increasing their reach and impact
Increase Farm to School (including ECEs) reimbursement for local food purchasing
Collaborate with agencies to leverage infrastructure dollars (e.g., transportation and other systems that support the food supply chain)
5. Ensure Equitable Disaster Relief and Response
Increase transparency in Disaster SNAP (DSNAP), including pre-registration processes
Expand funding for state agencies to improve DSNAP response times and staff capacity
Allow contracted SNAP assistance providers to process DSNAP applications to improve access
Increase disaster relief for local farmers through programs like TEFAP, CCC, and others
Expand SNAP-authorized retailers in disaster and post-disaster areas
Implement Louisiana Wallet integration for SNAP and DSNAP access
6. Build Food Policy Advocacy Capacity
Provide technical assistance to regions and cities on food policy challenges and opportunities, support burgeoning FPCs throughout Louisiana
Grow a strong, connected network of advocates through initiatives like Louisiana Food Fellows and the Farmer’s Climate Cohort
Offer training and advocacy opportunities to support long-term policy change