Farmers

New Jersey hosts over 700 school districts that participate in USDA federally funded Child Nutrition Programs. Each district runs its food service program independently. Some employ the staff in their kitchens; some contract with food service management companies (FSMC) to employ the labor, purchase the food and run the day-to-day operations in the cafeteria.

New Jersey growers can develop Farm to School relationships directly with schools that are close to their farm or they can tap into selling product to a produce distributor that sells to a number of schools.

INFORMATION TO PROVIDE TO SCHOOLS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING LOCAL FOODS:

1. How do you handle ordering?
2. How does your farm invoice and what are your terms of payment?
3. How does your farm accept payment?
4. Would you be willing to negotiate an alternative arrangement to standard practices?
5. What products do you grow and in what volume?

Click here to see a listing of schools close to your farm.

Farm to School Food Safety FAQS

Recommendations from USDA to Schools Regarding Produce Distributors

Procuring Local Foods

Growing Fresh Produce for School Nutrition Programs Video

For additional information, please contact:

The NJDA Farm to School Program at 609-292-8662

newjerseyf2s@ag.state.nj.us