NOT SURE WHERE TO START? Define your main objective for collaborating with local sources . Make sure to clearly outline how your local sourcing goals align with the broader aims of your school meal program. Explore the many ways schools work with producers beyond sourcing local products: • Invite local sources to your school to speak with staff or students and taste test some of their products. • Organize a field trip to a local farm. • Host pick-up sites at schools for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs or programs selling boxes of farm-fresh food, making it easier for families to access fresh, local food while supporting local farms. • Co-brand locally sourced products used in meals or sold at school events to increase visibility. Still unsure where to start? If connecting directly with producers is overwhelming or food hubs are not an option in your area, regional (produce) distributors can be a viable outlet to start with. They may provide information about availability and seasonality, as well as a list of local sources they purchase from. Some useful resources to start your local purchasing program: • Farm to School Planning Toolkit • Integrating Local Foods into Child Nutrition Programs • Selling Local Food to Schools: A Resource for Producers • USDA DoD Fresh Program: A Source for Locally Grown Foods • USDA Procuring Local Foods webpage
Let’s start sourcing locally!
Urban School Food Alliance | SOURCING LOCALLY | PAGE 7
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