Opportunities for Partnership in Local Food Procurement: Mississippi Delta Schools

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Procuring food for school meals is costly in a region like the fertile MS Delta. Hence, efforts to procure foods locally may yield substantial benefits in terms of economic return to the area and positive impacts on children's diets. The objective of this study was to determine food procurement amounts in two Mississippi Delta school districts, one participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) and illustrate potential economic impacts of purchasing local. Methods Procurement data from two Mississippi Delta school districts, academic years 2018–2019 and 2019–2020, were compiled and grouped into 8 food categories. The food categories were fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, dairy, added sugars, fats, and miscellaneous. Amounts of procured foods were converted to weight in pounds and cost in dollars. Results For the FFVP district, dairy accounted for the largest cost (34%) followed by protein (23%), grains (19%), fruits (13%), and vegetables (10%) in 2018–2019. In 2019–2020, grains accounted for the largest cost (26%) followed by fruit (20%), protein (19%), and vegetables (12%). For the non-FFVP district, protein accounted for the largest cost (25%) followed by grains (24%), dairy (18%), fruits (14%), and vegetables (14%) in 2018–2019. In 2019–2020, grains accounted for the largest cost (26%) followed by protein (24%), dairy (19%), fruits (16%), and vegetables (11%). Conclusions Although school districts purchase substantial amounts of dairy, grains, protein, fruits and vegetables, very little if any is procured locally. Encouraging school food service administrators to connect with and purchase foods from local farmers may provide an economic boost to the agricultural community and will facilitate serving fresh, nutrient rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to school children. Funding Sources This research was funded by the USDA Agricultural Research Service.