This presentation explains the many ways schools can source local foods for their school lunch programs.

2. DO WHAT WORKS
SEVEN WAYS TO
BUY LOCAL

3. DIRECTLY FROM PRODUCERSSOLICIT BIDS TO PURCHASE FOODS DIRECTLY FROM LOCAL
FARMERS, RANCHERS, ETC.
SET UP CONTRACTS WITH PRODUCERS WELL IN ADVANCE, ESTABLISHING
SPECIFIC VOLUMES TO PURCHASE AT A SET PRICE
OR SOLICIT BIDS FOR PRODUCTS ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS DEPENDING
ON AVAILABILITY
*FOR RECEIPT OF PRODUCT, SOME SCHOOLS SOLICIT BIDS THAT REQUIRE
FARMERS TO DELIVER STRAIGHT TO SCHOOLS OR A CENTRAL WAREHOUSE,
WHILE OTHER SCHOOLS CHOOSE TO PICK UP PRODUCTS AT THE FARM OR FROM
A FARMER’S MARKET

4. FROM PRODUCE AUCTIONS
RURAL SCHOOLS ARE LESS LIKELY TO HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING THE
QUANTITIES OF FOOD THEY ARE SEEKING FROM A PRODUCE AUCTION
COMPETITIVE BIDDING STYLE HELPS KEEP PRICES REASONABLE WITHOUT
COMPROMISING PRODUCT QUALITY
DELIVERY OR PICK UP ARE BOTH OPTIONS
ESPECIALLY CONVENIENT FOR SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAMS WHICH
OPERATE DURING THE HIGH GROWING SEASON

5. THROUGH PRODUCER CO-OPS & FOOD HUBS
THESE GROUPS ARE MORE LIKELY ABLE TO FULFILL LARGE ORDERS,
DELIVER DIRECTLY TO SCHOOLS, AND PROVIDE SOME MINIMAL PROCESSING
CUTS DOWN ON SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS OF WORKING
DIRECTLY WITH A DIFFERENT PRODUCER FOR EVERY DIFFERENT KIND OF
PRODUCT

6. FOOD SERVICE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES
SCHOOLS MAY INCLUDE TERMS FOR LOCAL PRODUCTS TO BE INCLUDED
IN THE AWARDED CONTRACT.
INTERESTED SCHOOLS SHOULD INCLUDE DETAILS ABOUT ITS
PREFERENCE FOR LOCAL PRODUCTS WHEN SOLICITING BIDS OR
PROPOSALS FROM MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

7. THROUGH BROAD LINE DISTRIBUTORS
REQUESTING LOCAL FOODS THROUGH PRIMARY VENDORS MAY SURPRISE YOU-
MORE AND MORE DISTRIBUTORS ARE SOURCING REGIONALAND LOCAL FOOD
THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS WITH HUBS AND SECONDARY DISTRIBUTORS
PROVIDES EASE OF ORDERING AND DELIVERY
YOU ARE THE CUSTOMER! VOICE YOUR NEEDS TO YOUR DISTRIBUTOR

8. FROM FOOD PROCESSORSSCHOOLS CAN OPT TO COMPETITIVELY SOLICIT BIDS FOR PROCESSED
ITEMS, OR PROCESSED ITEMS THAT CONTAIN LOCAL INGREDIENTS, AS PART
OF ITS LOCAL BUYING EFFORTS
GETTING LOCAL FOODS FROM PROCESSORS IS A GOOD OPTION WHEN
KITCHEN STORAGE CAPACITY, FOOD PREPARATION EQUIPMENT OR STAFF
TIME IS LIMITED IN INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS
SCHOOLS CAN BID TOGETHER TO PURCHASE PROCESSED ITEMS, THUS
CREATING BUYING POWER

9. FROM SCHOOL GARDENS AND FARMSUSDA DOES NOT PROHIBIT SCHOOLS FROM USING PRODUCTS GROWN IN SCHOOL
GARDENS AND SCHOOL FARMS IN SCHOOL MEALS, SNACKS, AND TASTE TESTS
SCHOOLS SHOULD CHECK WITH THEIR COUNTY INSPECTOR FOR ANY ADDITIONAL
RULES
SERVING FOODS FROM THE SCHOOL GARDEN TIES TOGETHER EDUCATION AND
ACCESS, AND ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO EAT WHAT THEY GROW
THIS IS AN ECONOMICAL AND INTERACTIVE CHOICE FOR INCORPORATING LOCAL
FOODS INTO THE LUNCH PROGRAM

10. UNITED WE PURCHASE
SCHOOLS WHO BUY TOGETHER, SAVE TOGETHER
FORMING BUYING GROUPS CAN GIVE SMALLER DISTRICTS BUYING
POWER AND BIDDING POWER
BUYING GROUPS ARE MORE ATTRACTIVE TO FOOD HUBS, CO-OPS
AND PRODUCE DISTRIBUTORS
BUYING GROUPS CAN EASILY MEET MINIMUM ORDER HORIZONS