NFS Profile: Myers Produce

When Annie Myers founded Myers Produce, she envisioned a mission-driven company focused on delivering fresh, local produce to their customers. In an interview on October 2, 2024, Annie shared how this mission has expanded to include schools, thanks in large part to the Northeast Food for Schools Program, which allowed her company to begin distributing to schools in Massachusetts.

Annie recalls how Myers Produce’s journey into schools began when she learned about a Request for Proposals for Northeast Produce released by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council on behalf of all MA municipalities. With support from Mass. Farm to School, Myers and seven other local food hubs learned more about the school food procurement process and submitted successful proposals. Being awarded through this competitive process meant that individual school districts did not have to put out their own solicitations to work with Myers, removing a common barrier for school to buy from local vendors. This marked the beginning of Myers’ relationship with educational institutions, allowing them to sell local produce to several schools.

Building Strong Relationships with Schools

Mass. Farm to School worked to connect these awarded food hubs with schools that had designated funding for local produce through the Northeast Food for Schools program. One of Myer’s first school connections was with the Barnstable Public Schools, which has grown into a lasting partnership. Annie described how the relationship has evolved, and how her team continuously engages in conversations with schools to tailor their produce offerings. The core products they deliver include apples and butternut squash, both of which are in high demand among schools. She adds, “we often start with those staples and then have conversations with schools about other items that might interest them.”

Though Annie is unsure of the specific menu items schools create with Myers Produce’s offerings, she acknowledges the enthusiasm many schools have for promoting their local sourcing on social media. “It’s cool to see which districts are vocal and forward about the local food they’re using,” she notes.

Excitement Among Farmers and Benefits for Schools

One of the notable benefits for the food hub (as well as for the farmers whose products they sell) is that schools often prefer food service packaging and bulk orders—something farms are well-equipped to handle. Annie emphasized that the Northeast Food for Schools Program has made a significant positive economic impact on Myers Produce, increasing their school sales from $0 in the 2022-23 school year to over $55,000 in the 2023-24 school year. “We wouldn’t be working with schools if it weren’t for this program,” she said, adding that the opportunity has been rewarding for her mission-driven team. 

The seasonal nature of farming is one reason why having a strong customer base, especially in the winter, is important. Annie explained, “in the winter, we mostly have apples, butternut squash, and potatoes, and while some of our customers are seeking more variety, schools are still excited about those products.” This steady demand has helped the food hub maintain operations during slower months.

Challenges and Future Growth

Though there is enthusiasm for working with schools, Annie admits that there are some challenges. For instance, Myers Produce requires a $300 minimum for deliveries, which can be difficult for smaller districts. “It would be great if schools could find an easy way to consolidate orders with nearby schools to meet that minimum,” she suggested. Another hurdle is the need for better communication between schools and the food hub. Annie pointed out that schools sometimes aren’t aware of seasonal availability and have a difficult time expressing their produce needs. She hopes that in the future, there will be a more streamlined process to help both the food hub and the schools work together more efficiently. Despite these challenges, Annie remains optimistic about the future of school sales. Myers Produce is already working with a handful of districts, including Acushnet, Barnstable, Lee, Medford, Sandwich, and West Springfield. Annie sees potential for significant growth, both in the number of districts they serve and in the amount of produce they sell to each.

Looking ahead, Annie believes the key to sustainable growth lies in the stability of local purchasing programs. “Public schools aren’t going to go out of business,” she said, highlighting how working with schools offers stability that can be rare in the food industry. However, she noted that the future of some of these publicly funded programs like Northeast For Schools remains uncertain, and hopes that initiatives supporting local food procurement will become permanent. Ultimately, the expansion of Myers Produce into school sales represents a powerful partnership between local farms and public institutions. By delivering fresh, local produce to students, Myers Produce is helping foster healthier school meals while supporting local agriculture.