Scott Anderson, the Food Service Director for Madison CountySchools, approached the Madison County Cooperative Extension Horticulture Agentto help bridge the gap between the schools and local farmers.

The Horticulture Agent coordinated a meeting in the fall of2016. The Agent worked with Scott on the type of information the farmer’sneeded would want to find out at the meeting. Those questions included: 

·       How will bidding work?

·       What types of qualifications are needed? ie insurance, GAP training, etc

·       What items do you need (lettuce, tomatoes, etc)? 

·       How will it need to be delivered to schools? Locations and containers.

·       What if I am unable to fulfill my obligation?

The meeting was held at the Madison County CooperativeExtension Office. It was a good opportunity for Scott to meet the farmers andlearn more about their needs and concerns. Scott was able to work with a fewfarms in the beginning of 2017. As details on bidding and delivery became morestreamlined, more farmers were willing to try to sell at Madison CountySchools.

As of March 2018, six local farms were providing food to theMadison County Schools. Since the inception of the program, farmers have beenpaid $64,328.50.