SOURCING LOCAL FOODS

ILLINOIS FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORK

DO WHAT WORKS

SEVEN WAYS TO BUY LOCAL

DIRECTLY FROM PRODUCERS SOLICIT 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 PRICEOR 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

FROM PRODUCE AUCTIONS RURAL SCHOOLS ARE LESS LIKELY TO HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING THE

QUANTITIES OF FOOD THEY ARE SEEKING FROM A PRODUCE AUCTIONCOMPETITIVE BIDDING STYLE HELPS KEEP PRICES REASONABLE

WITHOUT COMPROMISING PRODUCT QUALITYDELIVERY OR PICK UP ARE BOTH OPTIONSESPECIALLY CONVENIENT FOR SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAMS WHICH

OPERATE DURING THE HIGH GROWING SEASON

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

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

THROUGH BROAD LINE DISTRIBUTORS REQUESTING LOCAL FOODS THROUGH PRIMARY VENDORS MAY SURPRISE YOU- MORE

AND MORE DISTRIBUTORS ARE SOURCING REGIONAL AND LOCAL FOOD THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS WITH HUBS AND SECONDARY DISTRIBUTORS

PROVIDES EASE OF ORDERING AND DELIVERYYOU ARE THE CUSTOMER! VOICE YOUR NEEDS TO YOUR DISTRIBUTOR

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

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

UNITED WE PURCHASESCHOOLS 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

THANK YOU!HTTP://

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