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USDA Pilot Project for Unprocessed Fruits & Vegetables

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Home / Departments / Business and Marketing Support / Farm to School Toolkit / For Districts: School Nutrition & Local Food / USDA Pilot Project for Fruits & Vegetables

What do you need today?

Schools in Washington State are using USDA Foods funds to purchase fresh and local produce!


Washington State is one of eight states participating in the USDA Pilot Project for the Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables, as directed by the Agricultural Act of 2014, also known as the Farm Bill. The pilot enables school districts to use their USDA Foods entitlement funds to purchase locally-grown, unprocessed fruits and vegetables. Through this pilot Washington State hopes to strengthen current school-vendor relationships and broaden the diversity of farms, distributors, and processors selling to schools.


Download the packet below to find out more about the benefits and details on how to participate as a farm, vendor or school!

For Farms, Processors, and Distributors

The pilot project offers new and current vendors greater access to school markets. It encourages schools to broaden their vendor list and helps farmers develop relationships with their local school district and food nutrition staff. The pilot intends to build business partnerships that will sustain future sales. 

How do I become a vendor?

Interested vendors will need to satisfy standards established by USDA's Agricultural Services Marketing (AMS) including a food safety plan, product liability insurance and a food safety audit certification.

See WSDA's flowchart for farms, distributors, and processors on how to join the USDA Pilot Project as a vendor.

To apply and become a vendor:

  1. Meet the USDA Vendor Eligibility Requirements, primarily:
    • GAP, GHP, or GMP food safety certification (USDA or GFSI recognized audit, with Food Defense for processors or distributors)
    • Product Liability Insurance
  2. Fill out the short USDA Pilot Project Vendor Application Form
  3. Fill out a WBSCM Vendor Registration Form
  4. Send the forms in, along with proof of your GAP certification, to: FVPilotProject@ams.usda.gov
  5. Request a DUNS number online
  6. Register for a System for Award Management (SAM) account online

Your application will be reviewed and approved by the USDA. They may request some more information or details depending on the information you included.

Also see USDA's AMS Pilot Project webpage for further application details, including USDA's Eligible Vendor Requirements.
 

USDA Pilot Project Vendor Toolkit

For Schools

The USDA Pilot Project for Unprocessed Fruits & Vegetables enables schools to use their entitlement dollars to purchase 'unprocessed' fruits and vegetables, including produce that has been sliced, diced, chopped, washed, frozen or dried. Foods that have been heat-treated for processing such as canning or pickling, or contain additives, are not eligible. OSPI and WSDA's farm to school team are available to help school districts connect with local vendors and navigate procurement procedures. Schools interested in better understanding the rules and regulations regarding local purchasing should review WSDA's Procurement & Geographic Preference Page.
 

How can my school join the USDA Pilot Project? 

Schools can participate by calling or emailing OSPI Child Nutrition Services:
Sarah Davis, OSPI-CNS Food Distribution Program
sarah.davis@k12.wa.us
(360) 725-6215

Fill out OSPI's USDA Pilot Project School Application Form
OSPI will work with you to help you determine how much entitlement you would like to set aside, and making the allocation.

USDA Pilot Project Schools Toolkit

Webinars and Workshop Slides

Also see USDA's Food and Nutrition Service webpage for further resources. 

 

View the list of all USDA approved vendors nationwide
Schools can only purchase from USDA approved vendors on this list through the USDA Pilot Project. Schools can encourage their existing or new vendors to apply by having them review the vendor resources above, or get in touch with WSDA!
 

Questions? Contact Chris Iberle at ciberle@agr.wa.gov or (206) 256-1874.