Oregon Schools in Need of Food Products for Meals

Oregon Department of Agriculture sent this bulletin at 04/14/2020 04:06 PM PDT

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Oregon Schools Need Food Products for Meals

Oregon Producers and Processors,

While the statewide school closure for the remaining school year was issued last week, many schools will continue to serve meals to families for several months. 

Schools have activated their summer meals programs to begin offering pre-packaged meal kits for schoolchildren in their districts. These programs continue to ensure that schoolchildren who may be home alone during the day or are at risk of food insecurity have reliable and healthy meals available to them during the COVID 19 outbreak.  To find school meal sites in your region please visit the Oregon Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon Summer Meals Map. 

In a recent survey of food service directors across Oregon, schools reported that they are providing a variety of cold and hot meal kits for schoolchildren. 75% reported that their Grab and Go food product options are currently limited and their staff capacity to prepare meals has diminished dramatically due to COVID 19 procedures and safety measures. 60% also responded that minimally processed product is in high demand for their meal assembly programs.  

The following types of products are in high demand among Oregon schools continuing to operate school meal programs:

Types of Products

  • Pre-packaged and pre-portioned 
  • Clean label products
  • Individually packaged entrees ready for heat and serve convenience
  • Whole, cut, peeled and frozen varieties of fruits and vegetables - particularly those that are easy to eat in raw form (i.e. sliced apple wedges and finger carrots)
  • Pre-portioned and individually packed rice, beans and salad greens
  • 4 oz. meats, pre-portioned in patties or link form, frozen and packed in 5 -10 pound units
  • Local products preferred but not required

Many of you have products that are suitable for food service markets and have asked what you can do to help provide food in your communities.  If you have products that you think will work for schools please feel free to reach out and we'd be happy to connect you with school food buyers in your region. 

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To contact schools in your region: 

Please contact Amy Jean Williams, Oregon Department of Education, Farm to School Administrative Assistant at: amy.williams@state.or.us or 971-273-9978.

- OR - 

Amy Gilroy, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Marketing and Development Program at: agilroy@oda.state.or.us or 503-709-5360.