With schools an integral part of our communities and an important source of food for many children, they would seem a natural connection for local purchasing. Unfortunately, school food systems are complicated and layered with requirements that make direct purchases from farms challenging. Join ASAP and child nutrition professionals from the region to learn more about how procurement works in NC K-12 schools, as well as area preschools. This workshop will include an overview of models for local procurement, as well as address opportunities and challenges for selling to schools in your community. Register here.

After the workshop component of this meeting, ASAP will host a virtual Grower-Buyer Meeting for farms and schools. Grower-buyer meetings are a chance for farmers and producers to introduce themselves to potential buyers (restaurants, grocers, schools, etc.) and discuss products and potential interest. There are no promises made and no contracts signed; it’s just a chance to open a door and follow up later. Virtual Grower-Buyer Meetings have proven to be a really convenient and efficient way to (virtually) meet face-to-face with farms. The best part of these virtual Grower-Buyer Meeting is how easy it is for buyers. Essentially all you have to do is turn on your computer the day of the event.

If you would like to meet with farms who are interested in selling to your school system or pre-school, please take 5-10 minutes to complete our brief buyer questionnaire. The questionnaire will serve as your RSVP to the Grower-Buyer component of the event.

Workshop is free, but registration is required via Zoom.