USDA Cooperative Agreement

Project Overview

USDA Cooperative Agreement Resources

Advisory Procurement Work Group Members

Cooperative Agreement Objectives

The USFA will work with the USDA under a three year Cooperative Agreement to develop a new system for procuring school food that includes the ability of small, regional producers and processors to engage; school districts to participate in food hubs in their regions developing a more sustainable, shorter supply chain that is inclusive of more enterprises; educate all stakeholders in the system with best practices for procuring fresh, local food; develop a cadre of procurement trainers around the country to provide Team Up trainings with hands on training to those interested; and create information for a potential interactive template for procurement with drop down boxes including links to regulations or examples. Please click the button below to read this project’s detailed objectives.

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Inaugural Meeting Summary

On February 21 and 22, 2024, USFA held the inaugural Advisory Procurement Workgroup meeting as a part of the USDA Cooperative Agreement Grant Project. To view the Advisory Procurement Workgroup Meeting Summary, please click the button below.

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Subcommittee List

The primary goal for subcommittees is to represent their stakeholder group and provide feedback on different elements of the project to ensure that all members of the school nutrition procurement and supply chain are well represented. USFA anticipates seeking project feedback from the subcommittees through email and online surveys.

Self-Assessment Procurement Tool

School districts that tailor school food service procurement policies and procedures using best practices from commercial food service achieve benefits in food quality, supply chain and food cost. Districts receiving federal funds through the operation of the NSLP, SBP, CACFP, SFSP must follow USDA procurement regulations, not Education Department of General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR). This self-assessment tool measures procurement strategies beyond compliance with federal regulations that can result in better food, controlled costs, and improved chain.

Check out the tool!