Field to Tray: A Guide for Farmers Getting Started with Schools [Report/Guide]
At a glance
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A practical guide for farmers exploring how to sell local products to K–12 public and private schools in New York State.
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Introduces the Farm to School movement and why selling to schools can support farm income and community connection.
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Explains how schools purchase food — including public procurement rules and distinctions between self-operated programs and those managed by food service management companies.
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Offers an overview of school food service operations and roles, helping producers understand how menus, purchasing cycles, and budgets work.
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Describes challenges (e.g., procurement rules and tight budgets) and opportunities (incentives and consistent demand) for farms looking to enter school markets.
Why this matters
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Selling to schools is a unique institutional market that can provide stable demand and revenue opportunities for producers while strengthening local food systems.
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Understanding how school food programs operate — including procurement rules and decision-making processes — is critical for producers to align offers with institutional needs.
Who this is for
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Producers considering or beginning to sell to K–12 schools
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Farmers exploring institutional market opportunities
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Network builders and advisors supporting farm-to-school engagement