USFA 2023 Annual Report

Strategic Procurement 01 PILLAR

CONTINUED

USFA Local Procurement Miniseries

School meals provide important nutrition to 30 million students a day. The time is now for schools to be bold and creative when considering their purchasing power and their responsibilities in serving their community. The procurement processes used by schools can have a tremendous impact on the viability of local farmers, processors, and their ability to supply healthy local food to schools. In June, the Urban School Food Alliance hosted a webinar series with partners and industry leaders aimed at helping districts build relationships with local producers and increase local procurement in schools.

https://youtu.be/eKTF29hgJhM

https://youtu.be/mFouf2JbnHo

Part One: Advancing school food procurement: Driving values based purchasing through competitive solicitations - The Common Market

Part Two: Developing local food sheds: Community engagement - Ogallala Commons

https://youtu.be/zxpE-tQiiOc

https://youtu.be/22X1gobK-3g

Part Three: 10 Cents A Meal for Michigan’s Kids & Farms program - Michigan Department of Education

Part Four: Local procurement: Building relationships with local farmer - Minneapolis Public Schools

Procurement Self-Assessment Tool School districts that tailor school food service procurement policies and procedures using best practices from commercial food service achieve benefits in food quality, supply chain and food cost. Districts receiving federal funds through the operation of the NSLP, SBP, CACFP, SFSP must follow USDA procurement regulations, not Education Department of General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR). In December, the Urban School Food Alliance released a self-assessment tool that measures procurement strategies beyond compliance with federal regulations that can result in better food, controlled costs, and improved supply chain.

CLICK HERE to learn more!

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Strategic Procurement

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