The Department may contract or partner with: public and nonprofit healthcare providers, including community health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); and nonprofit groups, such as food banks, food pantries and meal delivery organizations; and grocery stores; and health insurers; and local farms, food hubs, and agricultural cooperatives; and socially disadvantaged, minority-owned, or community-based food producers; and academic and research institutions for data collection and evaluation; and neighboring jurisdictions as a part of a collaboration seeking funding, in whole or in part, from the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments. The Department shall encourage use of locally or regionally sourced foods grown using organic, regenerative, or culturally appropriate sustainable practices.