It’s important to make sure that kids have access to healthy and nutritious foods at school, especially fresh produce that keeps them full, energized and focused. It also helps teach them how to make healthy choices throughout their life.
Whether it’s working with growers or foodservice groups, here’s how wholesale distributors can help keep schools stocked with healthy options.
Better Planning and Sourcing
Wholesale distributors can help customers that serve schools get the most out of their orders, working with them to identify what to order when, such as when certain commodities are in-season. By leveraging forecasting and demand data, wholesale distributors can predict purchasing decisions that will make the most sense for their customers’ needs.
In addition, wholesale distributors can tap into their expansive grower networks to source any commodity at any time — guaranteeing staple items (maybe an apple for the teacher), while also making it possible to explore different and exotic produce that students wouldn’t normally have access to.
Offer School-Friendly Packaging and Portioning
Some produce requires preparation before it ends up on a lunch tray. Wholesale distributors can eliminate the need for schools to outsource this work and offer such services directly themselves. This means making sure that produce arrives pre-washed, pre-cut or portioned for easy eating in cafeterias and classrooms. They can put products in snack or single-serve sizes to support grab-and-go initiatives to keep kids full on the go.
Ensure Compliance with Certifications
Food safety is critical when it comes to growing kids. It’s not just about keeping cafeteria shelves stocked but also making sure that the food is also compliant with a variety of certifications. Wholesale distributors can remove this burden by ensuring that the produce they order is clean, safe and meets all of the necessary standards.
Cultivate Relationships
Wholesale distributors have a vast network of growers they source from, which often includes local farmers. They can act as a bridge to connect these local growers with schools or programs that provide healthy food to children. Bringing these two groups together could also open up a number of opportunities where farmers aren’t just supplying produce to schools, but giving students access to farms to learn more about how to grow produce themselves.
Supporting Local Programs
Finally, wholesale distributors can support organizations on the ground that distribute fresh produce directly to schools and other community groups. Excess product is given another life when donated, and can be funneled to schools at no cost. If produce isn’t suitable for consumption, it can also be used as compost to support school and community gardens.
Everyone wins when it comes to supplying kids with healthy meals. As champions of the fresh produce supply chain, wholesale distributors can make a real difference by creating greater access to fresh produce across the U.S.
