Missouri Partners
Missouri families and schools know that some of the best things to eat are grown close to home. From pre-K to college, at least 100 school districts in Missouri are serving up locally grown produce, fruit and other products in their cafeteria meals and snacks.
Missouri students are consuming more fruits and vegetables and have greater knowledge of agriculture and healthy eating. School food service operations are increasing both the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables served and their revenues from adult and student participation in school meal programs. Through this project, farmers are diversifying their markets, securing contracts for their products and establishing grower collaboratives and cooperatives.
The state of Missouri has passed legislation to help make selling and purchasing locally grown products easier in our state and has worked with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to create a commerce site called the AgriMissouri Classifieds to help producers and consumers connect online.