The Farm to School Project, Nutritional Development Services, Archdiocese of Philadelphia

One established farm to school program exists within Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese/Catholic Social Services, which serves meals daily at 150 Catholic and charter schools in the Philadelphia area.

A representative from Red Tomato, a Massachusetts based nonprofit brokerage operation that helps family farmers find markets, approached the Nutrition Development Services of the Archdiocese /Catholic Social Services to employ if there were opportunities for farmers in the Archdiocese’s many school feeding programs. Patrick Temple-West, director of the Nutrition Development Services and former board member of the Food Trust, led the initiative for the Farm to School project of the Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese /Catholic Social Services. Joan Reitz, the Purchasing Manager at Nutritional Development Services (NDS), agreed to try this new approach. Although she admits to being skeptical at first, she has been pleasantly surprised by the outcome of the partnership and plans to continue to purchase local items as long as her standards for quality and price are met.

The Archdiocese serves about 18,000 meals at day, including breakfast and lunch, at 150 Catholic and charter schools in the Philadelphia area. During the summer, the number grow to 36,000 meals as Nutritional Services also administers many summer feeding programs at schools, churches, and community centers.

As part of the Farm to School project, Nutrition Development Services (NDS) has agreed to purchase seasonal fruits-primarily apples, but also pears, peaches, and nectarines from Beekman Orchards, a large local grower. The farm is located in Boyertown, PA about 45 minutes from Philadelphia. As of September 2004, only one farmer sold directly to the Archdiocese. The farmer, Calvin Beekman delivers the fruit directly to the warehouse just like any other supplier.

Nutritional Development Services designs its menus to meet the farmer’s seasonal availability. Peaches and nectarines are offered in the late summer and apples are served later in the fall.

The cost of the produce was originally an issue in setting up the project. However, Beekman Orchards has been able to provide fruit at a competitive market rate without outside funding for the program. Additionally, the partnership with Beekman Orchards has fit into the conventional purchasing and provision system and has not required additional labor or purchase of kitchen infrastructure. With no extra funding required and support from NDS, this program is sustainable. “The fruits from Beekman Orchards are an excellent product, says Joan Reitz, the Purchasing Manager, “and as long as the prices are competitive, this program will continue.”

Contact

Joan Reitz, Purchasing Manager, Nutritional Development Services
Phone: 215-895-3470