Food Service Professionals 

Procuring Local Foods Can Be Refreshingly Simple
Informal procurement is an option for participating schools in The National School Lunch program when purchases fall at or below the federal, state, or local small purchase threshold (whichever is more restrictive).

What are the benefits?

According to the National Farm to School Network,
there are numerous benefits to incorporating local foods into a healthy school lunch program, including:

Meal Participation & Cost

Raises meal participation an average of 9% and lowers cost of school meal programs

Local Food Procurement

Reaching up to 50% of all produce purchases in season

Cafeteria Options

Increased offerings of fruits and vegetables; new seasonal recipes; new waste management policies

Food Service Staff

Improved morale; increased knowledge of local food procurement and school lunch nutrition

How can I get my school involved?

Feed Our Future helps you gather all the seeds you need to grow your farm to school initiative.

Where to Buy

Contact local farmers and food distributors through our vetted list.

How to Grow

Get your school engaged in creating its own source of fresh produce.

Promotional Kits

Promote eating fresh, healthy local food in your cafeteria with our Harvest of the Month posters.

Research & Assess

Discover if your school is ready to source locally, learn how to get started, view school lunch menu ideas, and more.
Success Story
Muata Niamke
Maple Heights City School District
Business Manager and Foodservice Director
The Maple Heights City School District has been partnering with local farms to bring fresh, locally sources produce to its students.  Maple Heights is also using the cafeteria as an extension of the classroom and teaching kids and families about the importance of healthy foods.
After a recent family engagement night, Muata recently told the Feed Our Future staff that ” The swag kit items may have encouraged some students to try salad bar items that they normally may not have tried.”   Maple Heights continues to impress with its commitment to providing students choices for what they eat.

Visit Speakers & Demos to contact leaders in local foods.