The National School Lunch Program is an untapped market for local processors. With around 5 billion lunches served each year and policy mandates to purchase local products, this market is untapped and underserved. In the USDA Farm to School Census, Seasonality was cited as the primary barrier to using more local produce since farm to school is easy in the fall when the produce is fresh but more difficult in the off season. Achieving a higher degree of local food served requires the development of minimally processed ingredients that can be utilized in school cycle menus throughout the year. 

CEU's Eligible: 1 CEU

Speaker:

• Steve Jenkins (Northwest Arkansas Community College)