1. Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE)
  2. Early Care Resources
  3. Early Care Procurement

Early Care Procurement

Farm to Early Care Food Buying Survey

May 2024

The Connecticut Department of Public Health and UConn Extension have created a short survey to learn how early care and education (ECE) providers are providing food for snacks and meals for children under their care, with specific interest in local farm fresh products served.

We invite all ECE providers to complete this short survey, regardless of whether you buy or serve food.

  • The survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete.
  • The survey will establish a baseline for the state as a whole and better understand how you are facing in sourcing food for your program.
  • Our goal is to use your input to create strategies and resources to support increased local food served by ECE providers.

Survey is open till May 31, 2024 and is in Spanish and English.

Five people who complete this survey will be randomly selected to receive a gift to use in your programming related to eating fresh local foods and simple gardening activities.

Click HERE to take survey

Haga clic aquí para ir a la encuesta

Please reach out to Cristina Connolly at are.survey@uconn.edu if you have any questions.

Women with children cutting apples

Finding local produce to add to your menu doesn't have to be hard! Check out the resources below for helpful tools in procuring local food.

Iowa State University, University Extension, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture A Checklist for Purchasing Local Produce
NC State Extension Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) Local Food Purchasing Guide
Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems Local Food For Little Eaters
National Farm to School Network Local Procurement for Child Care Centers
National Farm to School Network Local Purchasing for Family Child Care Providers
Go NAPSACC: Tips and Materials Sample 3 week Cycle Menu
USDA Food and Nutrition Service Handling Fresh Produce in Classrooms