Food Hubs and Values-based Supply Chains in School Food

Gail Feenstra, UC Davis Vanessa Zafjen, San Diego Unified SD

Jeremy West, Greeley, CO SD Dan Carmody, Detroit Eastern Market

San Diego Unified School District Potential for Big Impact

• CA’s second largest school district

• US’s 8th largest school district

• 59% F/R eligible

• $57 million annual food budget

SDUSD is ahead of the curve

• Farm to school specialist (coordinator) since 2010

• Established definition for local produce (tiers) – SD Local (25 miles)

– Regional (250 miles)

– CA Grown

• Production standards (farm size, crop diversity, organic/ sustainable practices)

• Incorporated into RFP

SDUSD aggregates local produce

• All produce through primary produce vendor

• F2S specialist identifies local producers, does site visits

• One grower aggregates for several others

• Distributor now taking a more active role in local sourcing-guided by standards (RFP), protocols (F2S specialist)

Evaluation Results: Procurement

• From 0% [2009/10] to 7+% [2011/12]

• Spent $173,000 on local produce [2010/11]

• 8 local small to mid-sized farmers

– Small part of their businesses

– All but one interested in continuing relationship

– Surplus for one grower purchased by distributor (above what SDUSD wanted) and sold

Reflections

• Monitor financial benefits of all parties

• Maintain flexibility

• Build capacity for distributors

• Creating new systems takes time-allow it