There are numerous ways that schools can work to bring more local, Maryland-grown products into the cafeteria. Navigate the resources below to help find the method that works best for your school system. Use the links to the left for more specific information pertaining to Food Service Directors and Educators.
Ways to Incorporate Local Foods
Buy direct from a local farmer
Work with a farmers' cooperative
Buy at a local farmers' market
Order Maryland foods through your traditional distributor
Buy cooperatively with an organization with an established relationship with a farmer
Connect with a local food processor to "isolate" Maryland products in their processing chain.
Ways to Promote Your Program
Plan a tasting or cooking demonstration event.
Organize a farm tour.
Put up posters in school and in the community.
Highlight the program or a featured product in the newsletter or other school publication.
Share Farm to School educational lessons and activities with parents, food service administrators, and the community
