Cafeteria

There are a number of good reasons to purchase and highlight locally-grown foods in school meals programs. Farmers can tap new markets. School children can gain access to fresher foods and increased variety in school meals. And school food service directors are afforded new flexibility, both to tailor their orders and to offer creative learning opportunities in school cafeterias.

If you’re a food service director who wants to purchase local products for your school meals program, click here to review and download "Purchasing Michigan Products: A Step by Step Guide." Not a food service director? The Step by Step Guide also is helpful for others who want to learn more about how to work with their school food service staff to bring locally grown foods into school cafeterias.

Links:

Fresh From the Farm: The Massachusetts Farm to School Cookbook
Amy Cotler, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

Local Recipes for School Lunch Programs
Vermont FEED (Food Education Every Day)

A Checklist for Purchasing Local Produce
Iowa State University Extension and Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

New! Buying Local - Approved Sources for Food Establishments
Michigan Department of Agriculture

C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems • Michigan State University • 303 Natural Resources Building

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.

Website Design by Eat Local Food, LLC

Link to local food

Cafeteria