Several preschools have recently banded together to form a “farm to preschool” co-op, led by a partnership between Open Hand Atlanta and The Common Market Southeast. Twice a month, Open Hand delivers fresh produce from The Common Market to participating preschools, along with educational materials.
"Tatiana Garcia-Granados and her husband launched The Common Market after recognizing the impact of diet-related disease on their communities. 'There really was a big distribution mismatch; there were family farms right outside of Philadelphia that didn’t have access to fair markets for their product, and at the same time communities like ours weren't able to access healthy food.'
With the support of DRK, the food distributor extended to six other cities including New York, Houston, and Atlanta."
"The Common Market is creating a multi-year food procurement initiative to direct food purchasing dollars locally and equitably. The initiative will provide opportunities for Black farmers and other underserved growers, while increasing access to healthy food in schools and hospitals."
"The Local Foods Incentive Pilot is taking off in Bridgeton Public Schools, with farm to school meals providing better nutrition, benefiting area farmers, and boosting the local economy."
"New Jersey may be known as the Garden State but in low- and middle-income towns, getting nutritious food from farm to table is harder than you think, especially for schools. One South Jersey school district is partnering with The Common Market, a nonprofit food distributor that connects farmers with communities, to bring Jersey-fresh fruits, vegetables and meats directly to the lunch table."
If you feel motivated to act, you can support forward-thinking groups like the National Young Farmers Coalition, Common Market, and Soul Fire Farm as they advocate for more equitable and sustainable food and ag policies, or you can contact your representatives directly and tell them what a better food system looks like to you.
"The farm to school pilot’s goal is to provide these school districts with additional incentives, to dream with them about what that will look like, and what products they always wished they could source on their school meal lines, but maybe couldn’t afford to do, Rachel Terry said."
"Bridgeton Public Schools in Bridgeton, N.J., has partnered with The Common Market, a nonprofit food distributor, for a pilot program that brings locally sourced food to students."
"The program established in both districts uses a funding mechanism that eases budgetary restrictions placed on schools, therefore they can purchase locally grown foods with greater nutritional values more easily. While students benefit from filling themselves with nutritious meals, Garden State food suppliers rack up purchases, therefore the program helps improve local economies and business at small, family owned farms, the The Common Market said."
“The district receives weekly deliveries of farm-fresh, New Jersey-sourced fruits and vegetables as a part of a new farm-to-school pilot program that incentivizes the purchases of local foods from family farms,” according to a press release from The Common Market. “The pilot kicked off last month and will run through July."
Our friendly and educated team is here to partner with you every step of the way. Connect today to learn of all the ways to partner with The Common Market.
"Being able to incorporate seasonal, local, and sustainable products into the menu at a recovery center is challenging, but the impact it has on the nutritional value in the food and experience with our guests is astonishing."
— Chef Skyler Hanka, Prairie Recovery Center