Finding, Buying and Serving Local Foods - Finding Local Producers

In this webinar, the third in the series, Christina Conell, from USDA's Food and Nutrition Service discusses the variety of ways that schools can connect with local farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses. The webinar covers online connection tools, requests for information, the role of state farm to school coordinators and state departments of agriculture, and USDA resources such as the Farm Service Agency's field offices and Cooperative Extension resources. Guest speakers from the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Michigan State University and a Michigan farm will share their tips for connecting with producers.

• Presentation Slides
• Handout of resources

	Introduction to Procurement
	Conducting a Local Procurement Baseline Assessment
	Finding Local Producers
	Using the Informal Procurement Method
	Using the Specifications, Requirements and Evaluation Criteria to Target Local Products
	Working with Distributors
	Using a Forward Contract
	Introduction to Geographic Preference
	Using Geographic Preference
	Using USDA Foods as Resource to Purchase Local
	Using DOD Fresh to Purchase Local
	Tying It All Together and Digging In