PREPARING FOR YOUR FIRST MEETING:
To make your initial meeting with your local source productive and collaborative, come prepared to discuss your needs, budget, and partnership expectations while clearly outlining your district’s requirements. • Explain your production and procurement processes, including the standards you follow, and describe the type of vendor partnership you’re seeking (e.g., consistent supply, specific products). • Know your current budget for various locally available food items and engage in an open conversation with the local source to identify which items align best with both their capabilities and your school meal program’s needs in terms of budget, menu fit, logistics, and more. • Discuss how your district can support the local source as a reliable partner, through consistent ordering and the identification of products of interest to both the local source and the district. • Share your district’s vendor requirements upfront, including common necessities like food safety plans, product insurance, W9 forms, and review any additional district policies. • Be specific and transparent about all steps needed for them to become an approved vendor to avoid delays and build trust from the start.
Let’s find local sources!
Urban School Food Alliance | SOURCING LOCALLY | PAGE 9
Powered by FlippingBook