USD #365 Food and Nutrition Services is looking at procuring local produce for the school year 2025-2026. We are looking for things such as romaine, watermelon, cantaloupe, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey dew, broccoli, cauliflower, apples, pears, peaches, leafy green lettuce, spinach, iceberg lettuce, carrots, green beans, peas, corn, green or red bell peppers, and celery.

Local fruits and vegetables from home, school, or community gardens, Farmers' Markets, or directly purchased from a producer can be served in Child Nutrition Programs. Minimal processing, such as freezing or cutting and bagging, is permitted.

We are also considering procuring local meats, beef, chicken, or pork. Meat must be processed under Federal or State inspection. We cannot accept custom-slaughtered products. Products must include proper labeling. Products labeled "not for resale" cannot be accepted. Local poultry processed under Federal or State inspection and poultry from producers with a 20,000-bird exemption may be served. Poultry exemptions only apply to birds processed in the state of Kansas. For more information on exemptions, contact the Meat and Poultry inspection division of the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Labeling requirements for meat:

• Inspection legend and establishment number
• Product Name
• Signature line of processor or who prepared for
• Net weight statement
• Special handling statement
• Safe handling statements
• Safe handling instructions
• If the product has two or more ingredients, the ingredients label must be included
• If utilizing poultry exemption, additional labeling requirements may apply
• If ground meat will also need the% of fat to lean (ex: 80/20)

We are also looking for fresh local eggs. Eggs must meet grade B or higher standards and be properly labeled.

Labeling requirements for fresh local eggs:

• Size and quantity of eggs
• Name and address of packer
• Pack date • Expiration date
• Safe handling instructions
• Identity of egg if other than chicken, such as duck, goose, quail, etc.

If you are interested in helping us procure local foods, please get in touch with us. We would be glad to talk to you. You can contact Lora Sumner at 785-448-3057 to discuss this.