CPO launches new program to distribute locally grown food

Community Partnership of the Ozarks is working to distribute locally grown food to people in need through a newly announced program.

Called Nourish the Ozarks, the initiative represents a collaboration with Springfield Community Gardens and other community partners, according to a news release.

“We are really excited about the impact that Nourish the Ozarks will have across our region," CPO President and CEO Janet Dankert said in the release. "We will be providing fresh healthy food for those in need that is purchased from local farms. Buying food grown here in the Ozarks to distribute across the region will have a widespread impact for families and farmers alike.”

CPO is financing the initiative as a U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative Agreement Local Food Purchase Assistance Grant sub-recipient. Some $1.7 million in funding is being provided over three years to buy and distribute the food, officials say.

Through Nourish the Ozarks, CPO is buying food from socially disadvantaged farmers and distributing the purchased products to underserved communities in 17 southern Missouri counties, according to the release.

During the first month of the program, in August, Nourish the Ozarks purchased and distributed over 4,600 pounds of produce. To date, the program has served some 3,600 families in Greene and Webster counties.