District to pursue Farm to School planning with Future Roots under memorandum of understanding

Representatives from Future Roots told the Blaine County School District Board on July 15 they seek a memorandum of understanding to partner with the district on a Farm to School comprehensive planning process, funded by the nonprofit and donor support at no additional cost to the district. Hannah Harris, presenting for Future Roots, said the federal Patrick Leahy Farm to School grant the nonprofit helped pursue was canceled by USDA in March but community momentum and donor support remain. “We would like to continue this farm to school action planning project for Blaine County School District in collaboration…through a memorandum of understanding,” Harris said. Planned outcomes include a two‑year timeline (to June 30 of year two), a current-state SWOT analysis, bilingual community open houses, procurement strategies to source local vegetables, beef and grain, cost modeling with producers, and exploration of group certification models to help small producers meet buyer requirements. Harris said Future Roots would carry most administrative work; the district liaison and nutrition services staff would contribute part‑time. Chartwells, the district’s food service contractor, is a committed partner and “open to those conversations” about sourcing more local product, Harris said. Trustees asked about timing, summer feeding possibilities and administrative lift; Harris said some products such as beef and flour are available year‑round and that aggregation and local processing could support fresh vegetables for school and summer feeding sites. Future Roots asked the board for MOU approval at a subsequent meeting; the board did not commit funding and emphasized the MOU would be a planning commitment only, not a procurement or contract to buy local products.