CCE staff described programs connecting growers and food pantries, including Seed to Suffer/Grow initiatives that documented more than 1,000 pounds donated to food pantries across two counties and participation by dozens of growers and 34 receptive pantries.

Caddo Parish school procurement committee examined how Opportunity Caddo (OCP) vendors are registered and solicited, heard staff detail a small active vendor pool and low response rates, and discussed recommendations including annual renewals, a public link to assistance, vendor training and better school-level data to raise local participation toward a 25% aspirational goal.

The Orlando City Council on April 20 adopted a Small and Local Business Enterprise program to give certified city-headquartered and regional small firms procurement preferences; council accepted a staff-led rollout plan and added a six-month review requirement after debate over the weight of preference points.

Jean Martin Bauer, director of food security and nutrition analysis at the World Food Programme, said on the United Nations podcast Awake at Night that localization — buying from local farmers — helped WFP keep food flowing in Haiti after looting and that global acute food insecurity has risen sharply, requiring urgent action.

Officials recognized dispatchers for their handling of an electrical fire response during a meeting.

On Feb. 5 the Kentucky Senate approved Senate Bill 5 (Kentucky-grown procurement) and Senate Bill 73 (tallow-based cosmetic products) by unanimous recorded votes; the chamber also adopted resolutions recognizing Srebrenica remembrance and AL 8 1’s centennial.

After hours of public testimony alleging the recommended vendor lacked required storage capacity and local presence, the council amended the contract with a contingency but then voted 8–1 to strike the item and send staff back to resolve outstanding procurement questions.

The council approved item 4.15 to buy BMW police motorcycles after a presentation from the police chief on safety and performance; some residents and council members pressed for local purchasing and scrutiny of the procurement method. Vote: 4–0.

House Bill 60 increases procurement preference for Alaska grown products to enhance food security.

Senate Bill 53 would codify the Farm‑to‑Community program that began via USDA LFPA funding, expanding market access for local farmers and requiring reporting to the General Assembly. Witnesses described funding through 2028 via ARPA interest funds but said longer‑term state support would be needed if federal funding lapses.

SB2226 would let localities prefer locally produced compost, enable ordinances requiring large generators to separate organic waste, and require new school construction to accommodate segregation of food/organic waste; the committee substitute removed a DGS procurement preference and the bill was reported.

Thirteen public institutions moved to Busan under Korea’s balanced development policy. The next measure is whether their contracts, suppliers and professional...

Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi has reinforced the call for ministries to support local procurement, warning against purchasing foreign goods over domestic alternatives. He emphasised that supporting local producers...

San Juan County Extension and Farmington City describe plans for a year-round Growers Market pilot, token-based SNAP/Double Up Food Bucks access, school procurement of local food and expanded food-hub services to connect farmers with institutional buyers.

Pennsylvania launches Buy American Grant Program aimed at enhancing local procurement practices.

Senior compliance staff reviewed three USDA memos — SPO 01/2026 (Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act), SPO 02/2026 (Dietary Guidelines 2025–2030) and SPO 03/2026 (local beef guidance) — and explained new flexibilities for nondairy substitutes at lunch and procurement considerations for local beef.