Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) has been purchasing local, sustainably grown produce from small and mid-sized farms in our region since 2013. MPS is proud to partner with a diverse group of small and mid-size farmers in our region - including farmers of color, immigrants, woman-owned farms and beginning farmers. Our partner farms are typically located within 100 miles of Minneapolis and are committed to using sustainable growing practices.
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 product quality, environmental sustainability, price, customer service, supplier diversity, and how grower values align with MPS nutrition goals.
MPS will release its RFP for 2023-24 Farm to School Fresh Produce in mid-January, 2023. The RFP will include a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, free-range chicken and turkey, grass-fed beef, dried legumes, dairy products, local grains, and more.
Farmers who are interested in growing for MPS are invited to attend a Grower Information Meeting on Tuesday, December 13 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at MPS Culinary and Wellness Services, 812 Plymouth Avenue N, Minneapolis MN 55411. The meeting will be followed by lunch and time for conversation and connection. Please RSVP to the meeting using this form. Questions? Please contact Kirsten Weigle, Farm to School Coordinator.
MPS is proud to partner with 19 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.
MPS selects partner produce farms through an annual, competitive bidding process. All interested farms, farm cooperatives, food hubs, and aggregators are invited to complete our Farm to School Fresh Produce Request for Proposal (RFP) to share information about their farm(s) and bid on specific produce items. MPS’ Farm to School RFP will be released in January 2023. For reference, a copy of last year’s RFP can be found here.
To learn more about the Farm to School program and Request for Proposal (RFP), please contact Kirsten Weigle, Farm to School Coordinator.
Thanks to our partner farms, MPS students enjoy these fresh, local items in school cafeterias:
Apples Beets, red, gold, & chiogga Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Carrots, orange & tri-color Cauliflower Celeriac Celery Cucumbers Green Beans Kale Kohlrabi Melon, honeydew & watermelon Onions, red & yellow Parsnips Peppers, red & green bell Potatoes, red, yellow, & russet Radishes, red, beauty heart, & purple daikon Rhubarb Romaine Rutabaga Squash, butternut, delicata, yellow, zucchini & spaghetti Sweet Corn Sweet Potatoes Tomatoes, grape & vine ripe