Local Food Purchase Assistance Commodity Procurement Program
The Center for Living Independently in the CNMI is proud to announce its collaboration with the CNMI Department of Commerce for the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Program. In this program, CLI registered as a Distributor to receive local produce and distribute to the disability community.
Since the start of this program in May 2024, CLI has been able to distribute daily fresh, locally grown produce to more than 200 individuals with disabilities in Saipan. Varieties of banana, watermelon, dragonfruit, breadfruit, yam, taro, mango, avocado, cucumbers, star apple, pomelos, soursop, and even local chicken eggs have been distributed to the community!
This program has opened our experience to the expertise of local farmers and diversified our diets to include locally grown fruits and vegetables and encourage healthy and sustainable living. It also encourages backyard farmers to continue growing and selling to support the local economy. It is most rewarding to see consumers learn how to pick out fruits and vegetables of their liking to fill up their bags to bring home!
CLI is grateful for Commerce and each of the producers who have visited the Center with their beautiful harvest – your hard work is greatly appreciated!
Local Farmers and Producers are encouraged to register on the LFPA website feedingmarianas.org. For more information on how to sign-up as a producer for the LFPA program, please reach out to Kioshi Cody at the CNMI Department of Commerce at kcody@commerce.gov.mp.