Farm to School Survey - Other
If yes, where did you buy these ingredients from?
- USDA Pilot Program/DOD Fresh
- School Garden/Greenhouse
- Local Co-Op
- Farmer's Market
- Donated Food
- Meal Vendor
If yes, who helps, has helped you find farmers or distributors that supply New York State ingredients?
- Food Distributors/Produce Companies
- Research on their own
- Word of mouth, Other food service directors
- Purchasing Cooperatives (e.g. Long Island Co-Op)
- OGS
- Farm Stands
- Farmers reaching out to schools
- BOCES
- FSMC/Food Vendor
- Already in Place
- ANCA - Adirondack North Country Association
- Farm to School Coordinator
- NYSNA - NY School Nutrition Association
- NYSED Office of Child Nutrition
- Local Health Department
- District Wellness Committee
What are your barriers to purchasing more ingredients from New York State farmers?
- Unable to get products delivered
- School is too small to have buying power
- Growing season does not coincide with school year
- Limited Growers - Limited availability of products in the area
- Do not have time or resources to focus on Farm to School
- Current distributors sell little or no NYS products
- For FSMC corporate purchasing decides which vendors to use
- Lack of quality assurance
- Bidding not won by local vendors
- Student tastes are not agreeable
What resources are you looking for to introduce or increase your participation in the Farm to School initiative?
- List of local farmers willing to work with schools and what they offer
- Greater range of products offered by farmers/distributors
- More farmers/distributors to serve rural areas
- Assistance with delivery of products
- Farm to School Coordinator
- Assistance with labor costs
- Food Hubs
- Gauranteed Supply
- Knowledge of the growing season and what's available to purchase year-round
- Ready to eat food that's already been processed (e.g. carrot sticks, apple slices, etc.)
- Student Involvement
- Less burdensome procurement process
- Quality assurance
- Marketing materials
- No minimum order for delivery
- Places that purchase NY products only
- Competitive prices
- Farmer's market demonstrations
Back to the Results for the Farm to School Survey