Partner Farms

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) has been purchasing local, sustainably grown produce from small and mid-sized farms in our region since 2013. Minneapolis Public Schools is proud to partner with a diverse group of small and mid-size farmers in our region - including farmers of color, immigrants, women, and beginning farmers. Our partner farms are typically located within 100 miles of Minneapolis and are committed to using sustainable growing practices. 

 

Grow Food for MPS! 

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) is seeking bid proposals from farms and organizations interested in selling sustainably grown and raised foods to our school district’s Farm to School Program for the 2022-2023 school year.

To learn more and download a copy of this year’s Farm to School Fresh Produce RFP, please visit MPS’ Open Bids and Proposals website and click on "RFP 22-17 Farm to School Food".  This year’s expanded RFP includes a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, free-range chicken and turkey, grass-fed beef, dried legumes, rolled oats, wild rice, and more.

Each winter, MPS releases its Farm to School Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify Farm to School partner farms and items for the next school year through a competitive bidding process. All interested farms, farm cooperatives, food hubs, and aggregators are invited to complete the RFP to share information about their farm(s) and bid on specific food items. Farm to School partner farms and items are selected based on price, customer service, product quality, environmental sustainability, supplier diversity, and grower values.                                                                                     

For additional information about our Farm to School Program and RFP process, please review the following materials from MPS' recent Farm to School Informational Meeting for Growers:

• Presentation Slides
• Recording of Meeting 

 

Meet Our 2021-2022 Partner Farms

For the 2021-2022 school year, MPS is proud to partner with 15 farms, cooperatives and food hubs in the region to source fresh, sustainably grown vegetables and fruits for our school meals. Please see the map below for partner farm details.