Broome & Cortland County Schools seeking local producers for school meals

The Food and Health Network of SCNY (FaHN) is seeking local producers to participate in an exciting farm to school initiative that will help farmers expand their business and encourage students to eat healthy, local food.
Broome and Cortland County schools are looking for fresh and value-added products to use in school lunches. The program is supported by a USDA Farm to School and NYS Farm to School grant. Partners include the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, Broome-Tioga BOCES, Cortland and Marathon School Districts, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County to help connect farmers with the schools. Contact FaHN today if you are interested in participating!
Producers can supply products to schools in one or both counties.
Eligible farms:

• Are GAP certified OR will attend a GAP certification training and become GAP certified.*
• Can help transport food to schools. FaHN will work with you to find a transportation solution and connect you to transportation partners.

* GAP certification training and market readiness training will be available for interested farms. We will update this page with more details as they become available.
Products needed:

• Romaine lettuce
• Apples
• Tomatoes (cherry and beefsteak)
• Pears
• Seedless grapes
• Baby spinach
• Seedless watermelon

Value-added products needed:

• Carrot coins
• Broccoli florets (blanched and frozen)
• Ground beef

Participating School Districts:

• Broome-Tioga BOCES School Districts
• Cortland Central School District
• Marathon School District

Contact FaHN Coordinator Erin Summerlee at fahncoordinator@rhnscny.org or 607-692-7669 if you are interested in participating.
Resources:
USDA GAP Certification Information
2014-2015 “Sustaining Farm to School in NYS” Pilot Program
National Farm to School Network
Local Farm to School Resources