Food connects INC. Will increase institutional food purchasing within its tristate central new england service area aiming to bolster sales for its network of small and mediumscale new england…

Food connects INC. Will increase institutional food purchasing within its tristate central new england service area aiming to bolster sales for its network of small and mediumscale new england producers. To address supply chain gaps food connects will scout and onboard new regional suppliers develop a forward contracting model aligning with institutional customer constraints and establish a fullschoolyear harvest of the month local foods sourcing program for schools and colleges. Activities will further involve working with current major suppliers to tailor product offerings to the institutional foodservice market. The anticipated outcomes include increasing the total number of products suitable for school customers creating a product list shared with key school customers to gauge interest and increasing regional food sales to institutions. This project directly benefits farmers ranchers processors and other stakeholders within the new england food system by expanding market access for their products supporting institutional procurement of local foods and contributing to the growth of regional food businesses.