Virginia begins local food procurement pilot for schools

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is working with food hubs in the state as part of a pilot program to increase the amount of local ingredients used in school meals, Bristow Beat reports.

Under the Centralized Local Procurement Pilot Program, VDOE has partnered with over 70 food hubs to deliver almost $2.2 million worth of local food products to school nutrition programs located throughout Virginia.

The department will help the nutrition programs connect and develop relationships with the hubs, and the products sourced will be used in school breakfasts and lunches during the school year and also be served in summer meals.

The pilot is being funded through a United States Department of Agriculture Supply Chain Assistance Grant intended to help school nutrition programs combat supply chain challenges and strengthen local food systems.