Lexington, Kentucky, September 21, 2025
News Summary
The University of Kentucky’s Food Connection has unveiled that since 2014, more than $31 million has been dedicated to local farms and food businesses under its local procurement initiative. UK Dining not only meets its purchasing goals but exceeds them, with 43% of its food purchases sourced locally in fiscal year 2025. This initiative highlights a commitment to supporting Kentucky’s agricultural economy and demonstrates the university’s role in fostering sustainable local food systems.
Lexington, Kentucky – The University of Kentucky’s Food Connection has announced an impressive milestone, revealing that more than $31 million has been invested in local farms and food businesses since the inception of its local procurement initiative in 2014. This significant investment aligns with the university’s commitment to supporting Kentucky’s agricultural economy and fulfilling its land-grant mission.
The report, now in its twelfth year, evaluates UK Dining’s local food purchasing practices and measures them against benchmarks established in partnership with the food service provider, Aramark. The initiative was launched in direct response to feedback from stakeholders regarding the university’s role and impact on the state’s agriculture and food system.
UK Dining is contractually obligated to meet the annual purchasing requirements for the Kentucky Farm and Food Business Impact (KYFBBI). For the fiscal year 2025, UK Dining needs to ensure that at least 20% of its total food and beverage purchases come from local sources. However, it has remarkably surpassed this target. UK Dining reported a total of $7,033,290 in KYFBBI purchasing, which constitutes 43% of the total spending—more than double the requirement.
Investment Details
In fiscal year 2025 alone, UK Dining allocated $1,536,258 specifically for Kentucky Farm Impact purchases. This concerted effort to provide local food not only supports the economy but also enriches the university community with fresh, locally sourced products. As part of its mission, The Food Connection, located within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) at the University of Kentucky, aims to connect local farmers with the university.
A Model for Local Procurement
This partnership is recognized nationally as a model for institutional local procurement efforts, emphasizing the positive impact universities can have on their local economies. The initiative underlines a broader trend in which universities and institutions are increasingly prioritizing local food sourcing as a part of their operational strategies, partly driven by growing consumer demand for fresh, locally sourced products.
Background Information
Since its launch in 2014, the local food procurement initiative has evolved in response to the increasing awareness of the benefits of supporting local agriculture and food systems. The program was implemented to address stakeholder concerns and to foster sustainable practices within the university’s dining services. By committing to local sourcing, the University of Kentucky not only complies with its contract obligations but also actively contributes to the sustainability and viability of Kentucky’s agricultural landscape.
As the initiative progresses, the collaboration between The Food Connection and UK Dining exemplifies the potential for educational institutions to drive economic growth in their regions while promoting healthier food options for their communities.
Conclusion
The University of Kentucky’s significant investment in local farms and food businesses illustrates a robust commitment to supporting Kentucky’s agricultural economy. As educational institutions continue to play a pivotal role in local procurement, the model established by UK Dining and The Food Connection can inspire others to prioritize local sourcing in their operations.
FAQs
What is the purpose of the University of Kentucky’s local procurement initiative?
The initiative aims to support local farms and food businesses by ensuring that a significant portion of food purchased by the university comes from local sources.
How much has the University of Kentucky invested in local food businesses?
Since 2014, the University of Kentucky has invested over $31 million in local farms and food businesses.
What percentage of food purchases is the University of Kentucky required to source locally?
For fiscal year 2025, UK Dining is required to ensure that at least 20% of total food and beverage purchases come from local sources.
What is the Kentucky Farm and Food Business Impact (KYFBBI)?
KYFBBI is a performance measure for the university’s local food purchasing efforts, ensuring that a certain amount of spending is directed toward local farms and food businesses.
Key Features of the Initiative
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Investment Amount | Over $31 million invested since 2014 |
| Local Sourcing Requirement | 20% of food purchases must be from local sources |
| Fiscal Year 2025 Local Spending | 43% of total spending, exceeding contractual obligations |
| Expenditure on Kentucky Farm Impact | $1,536,258 in fiscal year 2025 |
| Program Recognition | Considered a national model for institutional procurement |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- NKY Tribune: UK’s The Food Connection Issues Annual Report
- Holly Hill & Co: Paula Daniels 2025 Keynote Speaker Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit
- Kentucky Lantern: Help Buying Food Available in 14 KY Counties Affected by Floods
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Local Food Systems
- Google Search: Kentucky Local Food Procurement
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
