IFPA CONNECTS K-12 SCHOOL MENU PLANNERS WITH PRODUCE
SUPPLIERS IN INNOVATIVE MEETINGS W ashington, DC – The International Fresh Produce Association X-Change, coordinating a series of virtual “speed dating” meetings that brought together produce companies and menu planners from several major-city U.S. school districts. Over two days, February 19-20, IFPA arranged for 12 school districts connected with just as many produce companies, totaling more than 150 meetings. (IFPA) recently hosted the School Foodservice Partner K-12 foodservice professionals are not only involved with menu planning, procurement and nutrition education for school children, they are also some of the largest volume buyers in foodservice. Many of this year’s participants represent the largest school districts in the nation, serving anywhere between 30,000 and nearly 1-million meals each day. Across the United States, 31 million children participate in the National School Lunch program each day, and students must leave their lunch line with at least one fruit or vegetable on their plate. Considering that schools must offer a variety of
produce options for students to choose from at lunch, as well as that many schools also offer breakfast, snacks, and an after-school meal program, there are significant opportunities for produce companies to service this customer. “K-12 schools are the ‘largest restaurant in town’, “said Andrew Marshall, who leads the association’s engagement with the school nutrition operators, as well as with IFPA’s wholesaler-distributor membership. “K-12 foodservice leaders are balancing many factors to build nutritious menus that appeal to school children. Our ‘speed dating’ program connects these
professionals directly to the produce industry, providing ‘line of sight’ to guide menu planning, procurement, and introducing these important operators to new and current fruit and vegetable offerings. Plus, with these meetings being virtual, everyone can participate from the comfort of their desk. There are few other opportunities that are as valuable and efficient.” Participating school professionals represented 12 different districts including: Atlanta Public Schools; Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (TX); Douglas County School District (CO); Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD (TX); Greenville County Schools (SC);
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