Webinar Recording: School Food and Local Food Procurement

As part of the 2022 Webinar Series, presented by the NH Farm to School Network and the NH School & Youth Garden Network, a panel of representatives from the NH Food Hub Network, NH Farm to School, and NH Hunger Solutions presented on policy and programs related to school food and local food procurement, including the National School Lunch Program and the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Bill. The session was moderated by Stacey Purslow, who tied the panelists’ knowledge to the overall mission of NH Farm to School. Watch the webinar recording below. Also below are resource links referred to in the webinar.

RESOURCE LINKS

Follow along with the presentation slides HERE >>

NH FOOD HUB NETWORK
Learn more about the NH Food Hub Network here >>
Contact: Katelyn Porter, NH Food Hub Network Coordinator; katelyn.porter@unh.edu

Below is a map Katelyn shared during her presentation. The map outlines the service areas of three food hubs that are part of the NH Food Hub Network. Use the map and contact information below to identify the food hub closest to your school district or institution and reach out to learn more about wholesale local food purchasing through that food hub. Katelyn also suggested the use of the NH Harvest of the Month materials as a great first step in figuring out what to purchase locally and when. Access the NH Harvest of the Month materials here >>

Another great resource for learning about wholesale purchasing is this how-to video from Three River Farmers Alliance, watch here >>

PURPLE
Food Connects
Contact: Tom Brewton; (802) 258-1546; tom@foodconnects.com

ORANGE
Fresh Start Farms
Contact: Jameson Small; (603) 833-6371; jsmall@refugeesuccess.org

BLUE
Three River Farmers Alliance
Contact: Evan Eppler; (781) 999-1589; evan@threeriverfa.com

NH HUNGER SOLUTIONS
Tiffany Dodier, the Community Engagement Director for NH Hunger Solutions, presented on the issue of school breakfast in New Hampshire’s schools: the importance of it, processes some schools have adopted, and legislation that was voted on in the 2022 New Hampshire legislative session to require all schools in the state to serve breakfast. Learn more about NH Hunger Solution’s work on school meals here >>

Reach out to Tiffany for additional questions: tdodier@nhhungersolutions.org

NH FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORK’S LOCAL FOOD FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS BILL (HB 1657)

The NH Farm to School Network, with sponsorship from ten New Hampshire state legislators, submitted the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Program as a bill in the 2022 legislative session. It was voted inexpedient to legislate for the session but the NH Farm to School Network plans to resubmit the bill for in 2023. The Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Program will incentivize schools to purchase local food by reimbursing schools $1200 on $3600 of local food purchases per year. Learn more about the bill here >>

Stay tuned for more information by signing up for the NH Farm to School newsletter here >>

MORE INFORMATION & FUNDING OPTIONS FOR SCHOOL FOOD PROCUREMENT

USDA has made adjustments to its Micro Purchase Threshold
Learn more here >>

Local Foods for Schools Cooperative Agreement Funds
New Hampshire will have $558,989 available through this program to purchase local food for schools focusing on historically underserved producers. Additional details about the LFS program, including how to apply, will be provided at a later date. Learn more here >>

USDA Farm to School Grants
Application period is in the fall. Learn more here >>