REGIONAL LOCAL FOOD CONNECTOR

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The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Nutrition Services Division, through its U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Non-Competitive Farm to School State Formula Grant is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to contract with and oversee 4 to 6 Regional Local Food Connectors (RLFC) to conduct targeted programmatic activities that are place-based and community-specific. Specific regions are statewide and include Northwest, Northeast, Central, Metro (7 counties), Southwest, and Southeast regions, as defined by the MN Employment and Economic Development Department.

The focus of the Farm to School State Formula Grant is to support state agency efforts to implement and expand farm to school and early care activity among institutions participating in Child Nutrition Programs, 1) to build and increase the capacity of participating institutions to procure and use local food in program meals; 2) to provide agricultural education opportunities for participating children.

A similar pilot occurred in 2021, the PARSNIP project (PARSNIP: Pilot to Accelerate Regional Support for Nutrition at Institutions from Producers), whose goal was to look at the benefits of a strategically placed regional coordinator in southeastern Minnesota, who focused on connecting local schools and early care settings to local farmers and producers. The PARSNIP project was a success and since, there has been a desire to expand the original pilot statewide and offer more in-depth connections and place-based resources.

The goal of the RLFC is to provide region and place-specific knowledge, technical assistance and networking opportunities to buyers (school foodservice departments, Tribal schools and early care providers) and producers (farmers, ranchers, aggregators, food-makers, Tribal producers, etc.) to implement and strengthen regional food systems and networks to increase local procurement and agricultural education through farm to school and early care programming throughout the State of Minnesota and its Tribal Nations.

THIS IS A FORMAL SOLICITATION.  MDE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING PROPOSALS OUTSIDE OF SWIFT.  RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED IN THE eSUPPLIER PORTAL OF SWIFT.

SWIFT CONTRACTOR ASSISTANCE HELP DESK. Contractors needing help with registration and/or completing their response to this Event in the Supplier Portal may contact the Contractor Assistance Helpdesk: 651.201.8100, Option 1.

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