Did you know that schools spend a higher percentage of their annual food budgets on regional products than any other market channel—including grocery stores, restaurants, and superstores? With 6.6% of their $3 billion in food expenditures going to regional producers, schools are leading the way toward New England Feeding New England.
Educational institutions are pivotal leaders in transforming the regional food system. By prioritizing locally sourced foods, these institutions not only serve fresh, sustainable meals but also engage over 3 million students in understanding the value of local agriculture.
To meet the demand for locally sourced ingredients in educational institutions and create reliable supply chains for regional products, we need stronger local and regional processing facilities, consistent distribution channels, and the critical capacity of knowledgeable teams that coordinate sales and logistics between buyers and producers.
We will identify K-12 districts, colleges, and universities for partnership based on recommendations, research, and Institute participation, and assess opportunities to support food hubs and other intermediaries in the school supply chain.* New England Food Vision Prize awardees will also be considered for support at the end of their grant terms.
Meet some of our school supply chain grantees and learn about their work:
*This is an invitation-only grant program.