Farm to School

We have been purchasing local, sustainably grown produce from small and mid-sized farms in our region since 2013. In recent years, MPS has expanded its local purchasing to include poultry, meats, grains, and beans. 

Check out our Farm to School Toolkit, a case study of how MPS buys fresh, sustainably-grown produce from small- and medium-sized local farms.

MPS selects partner farms through annual competitive bidding opportunities: the Local Harvest Request for Proposal (RFP)  and the Regional Sourcing RFP. After these opportunities have been announced, detailed information can be found on the MPS Procurement page.

Regional Sourcing RFP

• This Request for Proposals will be released in mid-March, 2024.
• Through this process, MPS hopes to identify and establish contracts with a broad array of food producers from the five-state region (MN, IA, WI, ND, SD).
• We seek to purchase foods grown, raised, or made within this geographic region.

• Eligible applicants:

  • Produce farms and aggregators of any size
  • Animal protein (meat) producers and/or processors (Turkey, Beef, Chicken, Bison, Goat)
  • Processed dairy products, including cheese and cultured dairy

  • Manufactured goods: MPS seeks to identify and work with small to medium-sized food manufacturers based in the five-state area and interested in entering the school nutrition marketplace. We’re especially interested in new products that reflect the many vibrant cultural traditions of our students AND dessert items to serve as part of our monthly Minnesota Thursday meal. Manufacturers, please take special note of MPS’s Ingredient guide and nutrition philosophy.

  • Bulk milk: skim and 1%

RFP 24-16: Local Harvest Food Products

• Seeks to establish contracts with farmers and aggregating organizations (for example, food hubs and cooperatives) to grow a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, dried legumes, and whole grains.

• Focus is on small and medium-sized farm operations (less than $1.5 million gross annual sales) within 250 miles of Minneapolis.

• Partner farms must be prepared to share a detailed farm food safety plan with MPS by June 3, 2024. The following resources may be helpful. Additional food safety and compliance requirements are detailed in the Request for Proposal.

• This RFP process is closed for the 2024-2025 school year.  The next opportunity to submit a proposal will be January 2025.

For farmers: 

Farm Food Safety Plan - SAMPLE

Food Safety Site visit checklist

Since 2014, we have served an entirely locally-sourced meal every month at all Minneapolis Public Schools! MN Thursdays are a fun, special way to highlight our Farm to School program, support the local food economy and offer students fresh, seasonal options. Check our monthly menus to see this month's #MNThurs!

Follow That Food - Carrot Edition

Discover how carrots travel from farm to table! Watch as we follow carrots grown at Open Hands Farm in Northfield Minnesota all the way to Loring Elementary School in Minneapolis.

We are looking for one or more interns to help with our Farm to School program. The intern will gain experience in a large, culturally diverse urban school district. Since 2013, MPS has been a national leader in Farm to School procurement and programming.  Our 2024 intern(s) will help to strengthen our engagement with the community through event management/support, urban garden education, and nutrition education in MPS schools. Apply now!

Fall 2024 Internship

Questions about Farm to School? 
Madison Taylor
Farm to School Coordinator
612-668-2852
madison.taylor@mpls.k12.mn.us 

Madison is also part of the 2024 Farm to School Coordinators Project, working to enhance the well-being of children, fortify family-run farms, and foster thriving communities.