Virtual “Speed Dating” Meetings Fuel Collaboration in K-12 Foodservice
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) recently facilitated a virtual gathering of produce suppliers and school menu planners, culminating in over 150 “speed dating” meetings during a two-day School Foodservice Partner X-Change.
Organized to strengthen relationships between the produce industry and K-12 nutrition professionals, the event hosted 12 companies alongside key decision-makers from a dozen major U.S. school districts.
These districts, which together serve meal counts ranging from 30,000 to nearly one million per day, rely on a reliable and varied supply of fruits and vegetables to feed children across the country.
By bringing all parties together, the IFPA aimed to create a forum where participants could explore fresh offerings, discuss procurement needs, and plan for future collaboration.
K-12 nutrition professionals have considerable purchasing power.
They are responsible not only for designing and implementing daily menus for millions of students, but also for ensuring that all meals meet strict nutritional guidelines.
In fact, 31 million children take part in the National School Lunch program every day, and each one must leave the lunch line with at least one fruit or vegetable on the plate.
Because districts also often manage breakfast, snacks, and after-school meal programs, opportunities abound for produce companies to expand their offerings.
Schools benefit from a broader array of fresh options, while growers, shippers, and distributors gain access to a vast and steady market.
“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.”
Andrew Marshall, Wholesaler-Distributor Relations, IFPA
Menu planners from diverse regions, including Atlanta Public Schools, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (TX), Douglas County School District (CO), Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD (TX), Greenville County Schools (SC), Little Rock School District (AR), Metro Nashville Public Schools, Montgomery County Public Schools (MD), MSD of Wayne Township School District (IN), NYC Dept. of Education (NY), Richmond City Public Schools (VA), and Southwest Foodservice Excellence/SLA Management (multi-state), joined the event.
Their mission is to balance budgets, adhere to nutritional standards, and offer a variety of fresh produce to keep students engaged and healthy.
Participants on the supply side included DNO Produce, Dark Side Equipment, Gaia K-12 Software, Grimmway Farms, HMC Farms, The Mushroom Council, Steinbeck Produce/Nature’s Reward, Okanagan Specialty Fruits/Arctic Apples, Cool School Fresh, RPE, LLC, Sunkist Growers, Taylor Farms, and the IFPA Foundation for Fresh Produce.
Each company presented solutions and offerings that cater to the large-scale demands of K-12 kitchens.
“These conversations were eye-opening. I’ve been selling potatoes for 25-years, and talking with the school menu planners was definitely a learning experience. The volume of meals produced on a daily basis is wild. Plus, we’re excited about our baby potatoes for this customer segment easy prep, fast cooking, and kid-friendly sizes all make this a great option for schools looking to offer more scratch-cooked, healthy options.”
Ty Erling, Account Manager, RPE
By allowing menu planners to directly connect with suppliers, the School Foodservice Partner X-Change also provided insights into how producers can fine-tune packaging, portioning, and preparation methods.
Several district representatives highlighted their desire for more variety, noting the potential impact on childhood nutrition and students’ exposure to new foods.
Meanwhile, the virtual nature of the event made it convenient for everyone to participate, regardless of location or budget constraints.
“IFPA’s school-focused events have been a great way to connect school districts across the country with the people who grow their food. The virtual ‘speed dating’ sessions and the in-person interactions at the Foodservice Conference’s K-12 Summit are two prime examples, and we appreciate the opportunity to work together with the shared goal of increasing students’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables!”
Jakob Smith, Director, Value-Added Sales, HMC Farms
Looking ahead, IFPA plans to keep cultivating partnerships between K-12 nutrition professionals and the produce sector through future engagements, including the K-12 Foodservice Forum at the Foodservice Conference in Monterey, California.
By shining a light on what schools need, and by presenting growers with the scale of those needs, these collaborative efforts pave the way for more efficient supply chains and healthier, more enticing meals for America’s students.
