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School food director says district increased local produce spending 50% and has diverted 5,000+ pounds to food recovery
Summary
Nutrition Services reported larger local procurement (RFP favoring vendors within 150 miles and socially disadvantaged growers), a 50% increase in local spend, a piggyback clause for county districts and a partnership that has redirected over 5,000 pounds of edible food to a local recovery partner.
The district's Nutrition Services presenter told the board the department serves roughly one million meals per year and outlined a new local‑procurement approach intended to move more food dollars into Sonoma County.
The department completed a produce RFP that awarded extra points for items sourced within 150 miles, for minority or socially disadvantaged farms and for vendors willing to do farmer outreach and distribution work. The presenter said the district increased local spending by 50% and adopted an approach that places seasonal produce on menus and includes a piggyback clause allowing other Sonoma County school districts to use the contract.
The presenter also described a food recovery agreement with Una Vida that has diverted over 5,000 pounds of edible food for local distribution and highlighted share tables as a way to reduce waste while helping food‑insecure students. The presenter thanked local partners and noted operational constraints (procurement law caps, competitive bid thresholds) that shaped how the program was implemented.
On vendors, the presenter said a longtime milk supplier is exiting the school milk business and the district will communicate changes to families. The board and community speakers praised the program and urged continued emphasis on local sourcing and student taste testing.
