"New London Public Schools Cafeteria Taste Test Guide" Lucy Lyman, School Garden Coordinator, New London Public Schools

Procurement Tools

Finding local produce and making sure you follow USDA procurement guidelines isn’t an easy task, so we’ve pulled together some tools to make it easier for you to find your local zucchini this summer.

• Specifications for Fresh Zucchini: Standard specifications for zucchini to help you get the produce you are looking for from local vendors
• 2017 Local Zucchini Sources Part A and Part B: A two part list of CT Farms growing zucchini for summer meal programs this summer
• Using the Micro Purchase Threshold: This tool explains how to use the micro purchase threshold for procuring local summer produce. It also provides a worksheet to help you keep accurate records for your review.
• Local Foods Procurement Decision Tree: Not sure whether you should use a micro-purchase, informal, or formal bid process to purchase your local produce this summer? Check out this helpful decision tree from USDA FNS. 

Have questions? Talk with our Procurement Specialist! Email Mary Ann