Procurement
Procurement is one of the most complex processes that happen within food service departments. In the event of shifting a program from using processed, ready-to-heat foods to scratch cooked recipes, many processes change. Once you create a vision, and the menu and recipes that reflect that vision, the task of procurement is large — how to source ingredients and fulfill the mission of serving fresh, whole foods while working within the food budget available to school food programs?
A Fresh Start
Across the nation, food teams prepare school meals from scratch, using fresh, whole ingredients. The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 supports “fresh” in its foundation of food-based menu planning, and whole food procurement is a key ingredient in the process.
A Fresh Start
Across the nation, food teams prepare school meals from scratch, using fresh, whole ingredients. The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 supports “fresh” in its foundation of food-based menu planning, and whole food procurement is a key ingredient in the process.
Fresh Food Systems
Establishing relationships with suppliers that support your program vision and goals is critical. Be an informed buyer. Know your history, menus, specifications, and volumes needed.
Fresh Food Systems
Establishing relationships with suppliers that support your program vision and goals is critical. Be an informed buyer. Know your history, menus, specifications, and volumes needed.
Sustainable Procurement
“Farm to School” and “Local” did not become trends overnight. For the last 15 years or so, we’ve seen a steady growth in the commitment to purchasing local and regional foods in institutional environments and school districts. The economic impact to a community and the state can be quite large, and we are redefining traditional procurement in the process.
Sustainable Procurement
“Farm to School” and “Local” did not become trends overnight. For the last 15 years or so, we’ve seen a steady growth in the commitment to purchasing local and regional foods in institutional environments and school districts. The economic impact to a community and the state can be quite large, and we are redefining traditional procurement in the process.
Cooperatives
Purchasing cooperatives, or co-ops, are an effective way for a school district to drive down costs and translate their program’s mission and vision into their procurement practices. This section explores how school food purchasing cooperatives work, defining a common mission and vision, and how to start your own school food cooperative.
Cooperatives
Purchasing cooperatives, or co-ops, are an effective way for a school district to drive down costs and translate their program’s mission and vision into their procurement practices. This section explores how school food purchasing cooperatives work, defining a common mission and vision, and how to start your own school food cooperative.
Bulk Milk
Milk, offered with every meal (usually in a carton or plastic bottle) is delivered two or three times a week without a thought. Can this model be improved? Yes! Bulk milk is an incredible and possible opportunity. Bulk milk dispensers are a staple of many institutional cafeterias, like universities or corporate dining rooms…why not your cafeterias?
Bulk Milk
Milk, offered with every meal (usually in a carton or plastic bottle) is delivered two or three times a week without a thought. Can this model be improved? Yes! Bulk milk is an incredible and possible opportunity. Bulk milk dispensers are a staple of many institutional cafeterias, like universities or corporate dining rooms…why not your cafeterias?
Tools & Resources
You can find all the tools and resources from this section here, in one convenient place.
Tools & Resources
You can find all the tools and resources from this section here, in one convenient place.
