Market Access & Development For Oregon Producers
Every farmer, fisher, rancher, and food processor in Oregon has the opportunity to participate in farm to school.
When they participate, the producer has an experience that motivates their continued engagement.
Background
During the 2015–21 school years, $11.4 million in Oregon Farm to Child Nutrition Program Competitive Reimbursement Grants was used by Child Nutrition Programs to buy local foods. Over half (58%) of those purchases were made directly from 179 farmers, 8 fisheries, 58 ranchers, butchers or FFAs, 94 food processors, and 8 school gardens. The remaining 42% of local foods purchased were through distributors. As such, many Oregon producers do not know if their products are served in Child Nutrition Programs.
Additionally, the Farm to School Equipment and Infrastructure Grant Program managed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture has shown a high demand for equipment and infrastructure to allow producers to meet the requirements of the school food market. Over the two cycles of funding since 2019, the Oregon Department of Agriculture received more than $3 million in grant requests with only $450,000 in available funding. This signals that equipment and infrastructure are barriers for producers to enter the school market.
When asked about barriers to farm to school success, Child Nutrition Program sponsors report challenges connecting with local producers and finding local products. Producers have identified challenges such as lack of understanding of specific requirements for selling to schools.
Our Strategic Approach
Strategy #1
Invest in regional supply chains to allow more access to local products that strengthen value chains.
SAMPLE APPROACHES
- Increase funding for Equipment and Infrastructure Grants to producers that address the gaps and challenges in the middle of the supply chain.
- Partner with existing regional food business centers and food hubs in selling to Child Nutrition Programs.
- Fund supply chain coordinators to facilitate regional food systems that increase Child Nutrition Programs’ access to local products.
Strategy #2
Engage all producers and farmworkers who are interested in farm to school regardless of, and with consideration for, scale, production practices, race, ethnicity, tribal affiliation, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, disability, and sexual orientation.
SAMPLE APPROACHES
- Foster relationships between schools and beginning farmer incubator programs.
- Pilot programs for small producers and small schools or early childhood education programs.
- Offer training in multiple languages.
- Establish pathways that address the unique barriers and opportunities for beginning producers and Black, Indigenous, and other producers of color to sell to Child Nutrition Programs.
Strategy #3
Provide producer training and coaching on the types of products buyers are looking for and how to access the market.
SAMPLE APPROACHES
- Facilitate peer-to-peer coaching between food producers.
- Offer support for product development.
- Offer topic-specific, regional workshops for producers, including about how to meet the unique needs of different-size districts.
- Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Department of Agriculture partner on providing procurement training and information for food producers.
- Provide training on menu plan evaluation, advanced planning, and alignment with food producer capacity and seasonal availability.
- Facilitate communication between producers and Child Nutrition Programs to build relationships and make sales.
Progress Indicators
Child Nutrition Programs source local foods from direct sources, distributors, and government programs.
24 food producers and processors supported since 2019 by Farm to School Equipment and Infrastructure Grant Program
out of $2,153,854 requested
out of $868,805 requested
out of $960,487 requested
~240
producers participated in education activities through the Oregon Farm to cHild Nutrition Programs Grant
BRIGHT SPOTS
From Finance Executive to School Food Innovator: Krishna Bhattarai Brings Global Flavors to Oregon Cafeterias
From Migrant Worker to School Food Pioneer: How Lucy DeLeon Brings Authentic Tamales to Oregon Schools
Oregon Producers Share Farm to School Success Stories
Oregon’s Coastal Waters Meet School Cafeterias: How Three Regional Events Connected Fishers with Student Meals
We want to celebrate and share all the amazing Farm to School work in Oregon. Whether you're a teacher connecting students with their food, a nutrition director sourcing local ingredients, or a community member supporting school gardens, your story matters and deserves to be shared.