Agenda
• Introductions
• About MPS
• Farm to School Process
• Farm to School Products
• Feedback/Questions
Introductions
36,000 students• 65% eligible for Free or Reduced price meals• 37% African American, 32% White/Caucasian, 19%
Hispanic/Latino, 7% Asian American, 4% American Indian
39,500 meals served daily • 12,000 breakfasts• 24,000 lunches• 2,500 suppers• + snacks!
73 sites• 31 with kitchens • 42 without • 64 salad bars
School Sites
K-8 Satellite
K-8 Onsite Middle Schools
High Schools
MPS Central Kitchen
Farm to School
Serving local items from small to mid-sized farmers using sustainable growing practices
Condiment
Entrée recipe
Salad bar
Fruit
Roasted Side
ComposedSalad
Salad Blend
Farm to School
Engaging students, staff and families
Farm to School Marketing & Promotion
http://youtu.be/V_ApjlusqFc
Funding
• Produce paid for through per-meal NSLP reimbursement from federal government (USDA)
• Equipment/infrastructure largely through a grant from the Life Time Foundation
• Education/marketing/events from grants, the Wedge Co-Op, donations/sponsorship
• Farm to School Coordinator covered by MPS, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, grants
• Support from university internships, AmeriCorps, VISTA
Farm to School
Small-mid sized sustainable farmers within 100 mile
radius
Produce “contracts” through produce company
Local
Larger farmers and manufacturers within 200 mile radius
Through regular vendors or direct from
manufacturers
Produce, meat, bread products, grains
Farm/Organization Item(s)
Green Light Farm Cilantro, Jalapeno Peppers
HAFA Alternative Markets Program (AMP) Farmers
Brussel Sprouts, Sweet Potatoes, Kale
Hugh’s Gardens Green Garden Produce, Yellow Rose Organics, Don Vig
Potatoes, Red Beets
Minnesota Valley Action Council Food Hub My MN Farmer, Andersen Truck Farm
Romaine, Delicata, Butternut
Open Hands Carrots, Beauty Heart Radishes, Golden Beets
Driftless Organics Purple Daikon Radishes, Sweet Potatoes, Cabbage
Seeds Butternut Squash
Seed to Seed Farm Kale, Cucumbers, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi
Wozupi Tribal Gardens Kohlrabi
MHAC Phenli Thao
Red Radishes
L&R Poultry and Produce Butternut Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Small Potato Blend
Shared Ground Farmers Co-op Agua Gorda, Cala Farm
Cucumbers, Honeydew, Watermelon, Broccoli
Farm Aggregator
(in some cases)
Produce Company
Culinary Center or
School
• Proven record of respectful, professional business relationships
• Ability to provide a main “point of contact” who can provide consistent, timely phone and email communication
• Ability to grow and provide high-quality produce
• Demonstrate good stewardship of the land (sustainable growing practices preferred)
• Safe on-farm production and post-harvest handling food safety practices
• Willingness and ability to meet MPS’ product specifications and pack sizes
• Ability to provide thorough product traceability
• Ability to make reliable, timely, and accurate deliveries
• At least $1 million in liability insurance, current water test
• Competitive pricing
What are we looking for?
Food Safety Workshop
Institutional Sales Workshop & Lunch
Site Visit - JulyFarm Visits
Ongoing Assistance
Next Season – RFI Itemssubject to change!
• Asparagus• Beets• Broccoli• Brussels Sprouts• Butternut Squash• Cantaloupe• Carrots – orange,
purple• Cauliflower – white,
purple, orange• Cucumbers• Delicata Squash
• Green Beans• Green Cabbage• Green Peppers• Herbs – basil,
cilantro, parsley• Honeydew• Jalapeno Peppers• Curly Leaf Kale• Kohlrabi• Parsnips
• Radishes – red, beauty heart, daikon
• Red Potatoes• Rhubarb• Romaine• Russet Potatoes• Sweet Potatoes• Watermelon• Yellow Potatoes• Yellow Squash• Zucchini
Important Information• Large volumes work best
• Large fruits & veggies are ideal for processing!
• Emphasis on storage crops
• We look at “per serving” cost
• “One time feature” items are possibilities
• We try to be flexible, but can’t always be
Summary: What & When
• RFI – Jan 2016
• Contract Selection – Feb 2016
• Food Safety Workshop – Spring 2016
• Institutional Sales Workshop – Spring 2016
• Food Safety Plan & Water Test – May 2016
• Site Visit – July 2015 + changes as needed
• Sell to MPS! Aug 2016 – Feb 2017
Questions/Feedback?Kate Seybold
Farm to School Coordinator
Minneapolis Public Schools
612-668-2852