Getting More Local and Values-Aligned Food in the DoD Fresh Program

The USDA Department of Defense Fresh Program (DoD Fresh) allows child nutrition program operators to divert their USDA Foods entitlement dollars into the program to purchase fresh and minimally processed produce through their designated Prime Vendor. With over $523 million allocated in school year 2024-2025, the program represents a significant opportunity to expand farm to school procurement. However, navigating this system to prioritize local and values-aligned sourcing presents persistent challenges. Participants will hear directly from a DoD Fresh Prime Vendor, What Chefs Want, about their experience working across multiple states to connect and spotlight local producers with this program. The session will also highlight insights from a staff member from Friends of the Earth who provided technical assistance that helped demonstrate demand for organic options and worked with California’s prime vendor to expand product offerings. By the end of the webinar, attendees will have a clearer understanding of how the DoD Fresh Program operates, key barriers to local and values-aligned sourcing, and practical strategies for state level-actors to work within the system to strengthen farm to school procurement. Featured Speakers: Maddie Chera and Anna Haas, What Chefs Want Nora Stewart, Friends of the Earth This project is co-facilitated by National Farm to School Network, Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York, and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: DoD Resource Compilation: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8efckg... Speaker Q&A Responses to Whiteboard Questions during the webinar: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8d9wvf... Session Slide Deck: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/bnci9l... Email the USDA directly with additional questions at [email protected]