Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce Cindy Hyde-Smith, Commissioner

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1 Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce Cindy Hyde-Smith, Commissioner

2 Options for Selling through Farm to School Direct Sales Mississippi DoD Farm to School

3 Direct Sales Selling to individual schools or school districts Summary Delivery Food Safety Prices Quantities Growers Produce is supplied to individual schools or school districts. Product is delivered to individual schools as agreed upon by the schools. Food safety requirements are at the discretion of the schools. Farmers work directly with the schools on pricing, delivery, volume, etc. Smaller, more diverse amounts of fruits and vegetables are needed for individual schools or school districts. Produce can be sold to public school/districts, private schools, or daycares/afterschool programs.

4 Direct Sales Considerations Pricing Transportation Payment Clients Institutions & Programs

5 Find Programs in Your Area

6 Direct Sales - Good Practices Consider Piloting one product Show the purchasing agent your invoice Write up a simple contract Set delivery dates and times Be consistent STAY CONNECTED

7 DoD Farm to School Program Sell through MDAC to DoD Fresh Program, with orders from MDE Summary Delivery Food Safety Prices Quantities & Packaging Buyers DoD Farm to School is a bulk purchasing program with produce being supplied to multiple schools and school districts across the state. Product is delivered to at least one of three distribution points, two in Jackson and one in Corinth. GAP/GHP Certification (Audited) or Equivalent is required. Farmers work directly with MDAC to sell produce. Prices are finalized by the buyer. Larger quantities are needed because MS uses statewide purchasing. MDAC using revolving fund or from a contracted vendor.

8 DoD Farm to School Products: butterbeans, sweet potatoes, blueberries, collard greens, southern peas, cucumbers, eggplant, bell peppers, grape tomatoes, turnip greens, green beans, yellow squash, zucchini squash, sweet corn, cantaloupes, strawberries, hydroponic cucumbers, lettuce Program Products Demanded: watermelons, satsumas, broccoli

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10 DoD Program: How It Works for Farmers 1) Based upon the planned buy information from MDE, MDAC makes GAP certified farmers aware of the needed volumes and delivery dates of certain produce. 2) MDAC identifies GAP certified growers that are interested in and capable of filling the produce orders. 3) MDAC introduces the prime vendor to the farmer who discuss price. (MDAC does not set the price.) 4) Farmers are responsible for delivering produce to the proper distribution point(s) - Merchants and/or Jackson Public School Warehouse in Jackson & Briggs in Corinth. 5) Farmers must make delivery appointments with the distributor 48 hours in advance of delivery date. 6) Following delivery, MDAC works with farmers on payment.

11 DoD Program: Getting Paid Farmers can be paid directly from the prime vendor - or - Farmers can participate in the Revolving Fund Program.

12 Revolving Fund Program Optional program that allows farmers to get paid quickly, within 5 days of submitting paperwork. How it works: Upon delivery, Farmer completes and returns Revolving Fund Invoice to MDAC. MDAC pays grower, and in turn, MDAC is paid by the prime vendor.

13 GAP/GHP Cost-Share Program GAP/GHP - Good Agricultural Practices/Good Handling Practices. Reimburses farmers 75% of cost of obtaining GAP/GHP certification up to $500. Contact: Michael Lasseter michaell@mdac.ms.gov (601)

14 Website Website Resources for Schools farmtoschoolweek.org farmtoschoolweek.org Posters Posters Cafeteria Window Clings Brochures School Garden Grant School ProgramGarden Gt Program (available Augus2014)

15 CONTACT: Chaille Clements Munn Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce Communications and Marketing Specialist (601) Brandon Cobianchi Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce Agribusiness Programs Coordinator (601)