The National Farm to School Procurement Community of Practice (CoP) is a two-year learning network for state agency officials and statewide technical assistance providers seeking practical, system-level ways to strengthen local food purchasing in schools. The CoP examines innovative programs and strategies that have largely been developed within the last five years, including technical assistance models, product development, statewide solicitations, and approaches to leveraging existing funds and USDA programs. Many of these models remain largely undocumented, making the CoP a perfect space for innovation exchange through peer learning and candid conversations among practitioners.

This CoP will focus on strategies that do not require large ongoing investments, an increasingly urgent priority as temporary federal funding winds down. Our format pairs public storytelling with a closed learning community where participants can engage directly with program innovators and explore behind-the-scenes implementation details. This project is co-facilitated by NFSN, Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York, and the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems to support states in translating promising ideas into durable local procurement systems.