Northeast Food for Schools is a new, one time USDA funded program providing funds for schools to spend on locally sourced foods. The program is designed to support schools in new or expanded local food purchasing with a focus on purchases from small and minority-owned businesses. You can read more about the federal program here.
Massachusetts received $3.5 million for this program. The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education allocated these funds to all districts that opted into the program. Funds were equitably disbursed based on the number of students per district, district average daily meal participation, and total award request.
Participating Schools: See a full list of participating schools and their award amounts here.
Program Timeline & Operations: Funds are available for use in the 2023-2024 school year and can be used for purchases for the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs. Schools will request reimbursement through an online form and receive monthly reimbursement for eligible purchases.
For the first time, we have excellent data about how schools are choosing to feature local food on their menus, and we are thrilled to share our first high level overview of the Northeast Food for Schools program’s impact on Massachusetts. Wxe also know that impactful programs are much more than just numbers, and we have also collected short stories about how individual school districts and producers have been impacted by the funds. We will be continuing to collect stories from throughout Massachusetts to share with you as the program continues. View the program snapshot.
In order to request reimbursement for purchases, you must provide the following information for each product:
1. Vendor (Food Hub/Distributor or Farm/Producer)
2. Product Name
3. Farm/Producer Name (if purchased through a Food Hub/Distributor)
4. Product’s State of Origin
5. Total cost of product
Step-by-step Instructions (Written)
Step-by-step Instructions (Video)
You can use NFS funds for a wide variety of products. All foods must be unprocessed or minimally processed and grown/raised/caught within 400 miles. These funds are not limited to produce. Funds can be used for dairy, seafood, meat, and even grains. Some examples of eligible products include:
*Massachusetts-grown carrot coins
*New Hampshire made yogurt
*Fish fillets caught on a Massachusetts-owned and operated boat
*Ground beef from Vermont
There are many farmers, producers, and food hubs that can provide you with NFS eligible products. Read on for a list of food hubs already awarded through a competitive solicitation and eligible to sell to any school in Massachusetts.
Check out our Local Food Map for additional farmers and food hubs interested in selling to schools.
The Northeast Produce RFP was issued to enable food sales between schools and local food aggregators (i.e., food hubs) from August 2023 – June 2024. This RFP was issued on behalf of the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies (MARPA), therefore covering all cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The process was led by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), with the support of Mass. Farm to School.
Nine vendors have been awarded. SFAs can contract with any of the awarded vendors without the need for an additional procurement process.
Click on the button below to read more about the vendors and see their price lists and delivery areas.
Looking for support sourcing local products in addition to produce? Reach out to Abby Getman Skillicorn at Mass. Farm to School, abby@massfarmtoschool.org. Throughout the year we will be offering workshops and individualized consulting including:
Sample Request for Quotes (RFQ)
DESE’s Office of Food and Nutrition Programs has developed a sample request for quotes that can help your school purchase local foods in compliance with all state and federal procurement regulations. The RFQ is intended for use with vendors where you anticipate spending between $10,000 and $100,000. We will be offering additional procurement training throughout the school year.
March 1, 2023: Northeast Food for Schools Information Session
Phone: (413) 253-3844
Email: info@massfarmtoschool.org
