“Local pork is roughly 50 cents more per pound, but the quality is so much better. There’s hardly any fat that we drain off, whereas you might lose half of what you bought from a big distributor when you drain it.”
– Becky Landes, Food Service Operation Manager
Manchester Community Schools
Local Procurement
Local procurement connects schools with Indiana farmers, strengthens local economies, and brings fresher foods to students. This page provides toolkits, guides, templates, and real‑world examples to help schools confidently purchase and serve local foods.
Local Procurement Toolkit
The Indiana Grown for Schools Network Procurement Toolkit offers step‑by‑step guidance, templates, and strategies to help schools confidently source local products.
Procuring Local Foods
Curious about buying local for your school meals? This quick guide from IDOE explains the basics of procuring Indiana‑grown foods, including simple steps, helpful tips, and flexible purchasing options.
Protein Procurement Toolkit
This toolkit provides an overview for schools and childcare centers as they begin to procure, process, and serve local protein.
Find a Farmer!
Visit our interactive directory featuring Indiana producers ready to work with schools.
Choosing Seasonal Ingredients
Crediting Resources
Recipe Resources
Local Food Promotion
Funding Opportunities
Webinar Recordings
Farm to School Procurement News
