In addition to schol meal programs, child and senior care programs, colleges, hospitals, and other institutions are choosing to serve local food.
There are many similarities between school and other kinds of institutional meal programs, and we are interested in learning about some of the differences so we can better assist farms in selling to these markets, and better assist institutional buyers with sourcing local products.
Through a past CDC funded Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant, WSDA conducted operational assessments and piloted start-up farm to school projects in select large urban school districts, senior meal programs and child care facilities. Below are operational assessments, technical assistance and resources, tools, policies, and best practices to help more meal programs to source food from local farms.
Washington Grown Food Seasonality Charts for child and senior care programs:
Other resources for institutional buyers interested in farm to cafeteria programs beyond schools:
Also, check out this Farm to Table Training Video on how to use farm fresh products in senior meal programs.
Check out resources and materials for Farm to Preschool here.
National Farm to School Network's Farm to Early Care and Education website also provides extensive resources and networking opportunities for those who work in child care/preschool settings.