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ECE providers

8 steps to buying local foods for child care providers

Are you ready to get started purchasing local food for the young children in your care? Follow the steps to understand better where to begin, what regulations and requirements to be aware of, and how to support Farm to ECE.

Step 1: Understand opportunities for child care providers

Purchasing locally sourced food might be the most effective way for you, as a child care provider, to: 

  • Nourish the children in your care
  • Build networks within your community
  • Support local farmers

Culturally responsive food

Producing and harvesting healthy and culturally responsive foods is critical to ensuring that the benefits of local food are enjoyed by as many children as possible. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a nutritious part of a child’s diet, and feeding children food options that reflect their cultures and communities will help make Farm to ECE efforts more equitable. 

Food Bank of the Rockies

The Food Bank of the Rockies created a list of food preference suggestions by culture to help people better understand what it means to offer culturally responsive foods. The food lists include information about preferred staples, foods to avoid, and cultural holidays that include important food items. 

Culture of Wellness

Connect with Culture of Wellness to bring culturally relevant curricula and food to your child care center.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

In addition to providing locally grown food to the children in your care, you can promote farm to ECE efforts in many other ways. Start with what feels within your reach.

Self-Assessment

Use the Farm to ECE Self-Assessment to help identify which components of Farm to ECE to begin now, and which to plan for later.

Farm to Child

Read more about farm to ECE and other farm to Child efforts on the Farm to Child webpage.

 

National Farm to School Network

The National Farm to School Network, a leading non-profit in the Farm to Child space, is built around three core elements.

  1. Local food purchasing
  2. Gardens
  3. Agricultural education

Child care providers can help advance Farm to Child in a variety of ways.

Farm to Child Collaborative

Join the Farm to Child Collaborative to share your needs and perspectives.

Partnership

Partner with local organizations & schools to build your network.

Advocacy

Advocate for policies that enable and fund Farm to Child efforts.

Education

Visit farms and gardens on field trips to show children where their food comes from.

Being informed

Learn about Farm to Child regulations, best practices, and opportunities.

Hands-on curriculum

Teach children in your care about food and nutrition through a hands-on curriculum. The Farm to Child Guide provides a wealth of information, including:

  • Farm to Child Program Overview
  • Exploring gardening with young children
  • Procuring local foods for the child and adult care food program
  • Engaging families, staff, and communities

The Farm to Child Guide is available in English, Spanish, and Arabic.

Grow your own

Grow fruits and vegetables in a small garden at your care facility.

Learn more

Explore additional Farm to Child resources.

Step 2: Join the Farm to Child community

There are many different types of care providers, non-profit organizations, private businesses, and public agencies already involved in the broader Farm to Child community, and they have plenty of resources and advice to offer others interested in joining. Many state agencies help to coordinate Farm to ECE resources and improve related state programs alongside their federal partners.

Maintain a current contact list

Keep a contact list of state departmental staff involved with Farm to Child efforts and other members of the community you meet along the way. You never know when you’ll need their help or want to offer help yourself.

Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA)

The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that helps states source local foods from historically underserved producers and provide local foods to underserved communities. 

Become a member of the National Farm to School Network

Become a National Farm to School Network member by signing up for their monthly newsletter and browse their extensive collection of resources for Farm to ECE.

Connect with the Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) 

Connect with the Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) to learn how other child care providers are making Farm to Child work for them.

Reach out to your Local Extension Office

Reach out to your local Extension Office to get involved with nutrition education, early care wellness programs, and engagement activities.

Connect with LoProCO

Sign up for a LoProCO workshop or consultation to get direct support on how to purchase local food.

  • LoProCO. (Nourish Colorado website)
Data gathering and assessments

Participate in data gathering and assessment efforts to allow organizations and agencies to track the growth of Colorado Farm to ECE networks.

Step 3: Consider your needs, limitations, and goals

Farm to ECE looks a little bit different for everyone. Before you dive into the details of purchasing local food, first consider your needs, limitations, and goals. Nearly all aspects of purchasing locally, the who, what, where, when, why, and how, will vary between you and the next child care provider. Ask yourself some basic questions to help you get started.

Defining local
  • There’s really no single definition of “local,” so you should define what goals you have for participating in Farm to ECE efforts.
  • Maybe you want to support producers around your state, or maybe you want to focus specifically on your county. 
  • Defining “local” can help you choose what and how to buy when you have multiple options.

 

Cooking experience
  • Buy types of food that you know how to safely prepare and serve. 
  • Learn some of the fundamentals of safe food preparation.
Knife skills training

Nourish Colorado Knife Skills training with Chef Fez is available in English and Spanish.

Kitchen hygiene

Preparation needs
  • If you are unable to prepare fresh fruits and vegetables in your current kitchen space, you may be able to work with a food hub or distributor to find pre-cut foods. 
    • Step 6 explains some of the kitchen regulations you may have to comply with.

Storage space
  • Once you purchase local food, you’ll need a place to store it. Depending on the item, this could be in your refrigerator, freezer, pantry, or hot holding equipment. You’ll only be able to order as much food as you can realistically store.

 

Purchase volume
  • Depending on how many kids you are feeding and how often, you’ll need to work with farmers, food hubs, or distributors to coordinate timing and purchase volumes.

 

Purchase frequency
  • Frequency goes hand-in-hand with storage space and volume. 
    • You’ll want to make sure you have enough food to keep kids nourished, but you’ll also want to plan your purchases to reduce food spoilage.

Purchasing logistics
  • Consider which approach works best with your schedule, resources, and preferences.
    • You could pick up food directly from sources including: 
      • local farms
      • farmers' markets
      • food hubs
    • You could arrange a delivery to your facility. 

 

Seasonality
  • Farming is dependent on the season. It's important to consider the availability of fresh ingredients.
  • The Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association’s Colorado Produce Calendar can help you understand how to plan your menu to include seasonal foods.

Payment options
  • You might pay for produce and other foods using cash, credit cards, or checks, but not every payment method is accepted by every vendor.
  • You will want to consider the funding options outlined in Step 5 and choose purchasing methods that work for your situation.

 

Communication
  • Think about how you communicate best and how you are easily reached, such as by phone call, text message, or email.

Step 4: Learn ways to acquire local food

There are several ways to purchase local food. Now that you’ve answered the questions listed in Step 3, you should have a better idea of what you’re looking to accomplish by joining Farm to ECE efforts and what barriers you might be facing. You’ll want to pick the purchasing method(s) best suited to your situation, and depending on the type of child care program you offer, you may be eligible to participate in special programs.

The availability of different types of produce will depend on the season. Various fruits and veggies can be harvested at different times of the year, so before planning to buy locally, understand what is in season.

The Colorado Produce Calendar, created by Colorado Proud, is available in five languages.

Farmers' markets
  • Your community might feature locally based producers and merchants at farmers' markets in your area or in a nearby town. Find a farmers' market by using the Colorado Farmers Market Association’s interactive market map.Colorado Proud food label is a circle with blue mountains, a yellow sun setting behind them and the words "Colorado Proud"
Grocery stores or supermarkets with locally sourced foods
  • Some food stores offer goods from local businesses and producers, such as fresh produce, eggs, meat, and dairy products. Look for the Colorado Proud label to be sure a product originated in the state.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
  • Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a popular way to buy fresh food directly from a local farmer. Farmers offer ‘shares’ for interested community members to purchase and, in return, members receive an assortment of seasonal items available during the growing season. 
  • When you purchase a CSA share, not only are you supporting local farmers but you are fostering healthy, life-long eating habits with the children in your care.
  • Receiving a produce box through a CSA share can introduce students to new fruits and vegetables. It can be used as a learning tool to teach about farming and where food comes from. CSAs are also a great way to discover and try out new recipes and diversify your cooking skills. 
  • You can locate a CSA provider near you using CDA’s CSA webpage or the USDA’s CSA Directory.
Direct purchases from producers
  • Small farms may be able to sell directly to you and your care program. 
  • The agreement you reach with a producer may be for a one-time purchase or a series of purchases over a specified time.
  • You can search a database of local producers on the Colorado Proud website to find other farms.
Food hubs
  • Food hubs are relationship-based, mission-driven organizations that aggregate and distribute food within communities. 
  • They may bring together harvests from many local producers to satisfy larger orders and offer a variety of fruits and vegetables.
  • Many food hubs also try to accommodate participants’ needs by surveying them on food preferences, which offers you the chance to indicate a preference for local foods. 
  • You can find food hubs near you by using the USDA’s Food Hub Directory.
Food banks
  • Food banks are non-profit organizations focused on providing hunger relief by collecting food donations to share with community members and families in need. 
  • Colorado has received funding from the USDA to specifically support Farm to Food Bank projects by incentivizing the purchase and distribution of local foods from local farms. 
  • You can find food banks near you by using the Food Bank of the Rockies Pantry Locator.
Collaborative purchasing through K-12 programs
  • Because many school districts already purchase locally sourced food to feed their students, there may be opportunities for you and other child care providers to piggyback on their purchases. 
  • Individual schools and whole school districts can make ideal Farm to ECE partners because they can purchase larger amounts of produce more frequently for cheaper bulk rates, keeping your costs down. 
  • Schools will also have the necessary equipment to keep food fresh and at safe temperatures. Find nearby school districts partnering with child care providers by contacting CDE.
Collaborative purchasing through child care sites
  • There may also be opportunities to purchase collaboratively within your local community of child carers. 
  • You can increase your ability to purchase larger quantities of food for reduced prices by finding a site similar to yours in size, days of operation, and willingness to begin local procurement as a team.

Take manageable steps to work towards your Farm to ECE goals. If you don’t usually purchase or work with fresh produce, it’s smart to start small. Try some of these ideas.

Snacks

Serve fresh produce, such as carrot sticks or apple slices, as a snack instead of planning a whole new menu or meal.

Swaps

Choose a meal that you already serve and substitute one locally sourced ingredient.

Taste tests

Once per month, serve a new fruit or vegetable and encourage the children to try it. If they don’t like it, they’ll still have the day’s meals and snacks to keep them full.

Step 5: Access funding and support

Securing the necessary funding is crucial to accomplishing your Farm to ECE goals. There are significant resources from federal agencies, state agencies, and local non-profit organizations that can help you purchase nutritious, locally grown produce. Pay careful attention to the details of these programs, however, as some funding may only be available to certain types of child care facilities. You may also be able to receive non-financial support, such as food donations or technical assistance.

Colorado Food Program (formerly known as CACFP-Child and Adult Care Food Program)

Many child care providers participate in the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federally funded program offering direct reimbursements for purchasing nutritious meals and snacks. Only licensed or formally licensed-exempt facilities are eligible to participate. In Colorado, the CACFP is known as the Colorado Food Program (CFP). 

Colorado Food Program reimbursements

Colorado Food Program reimbursements can be applied to purchases of locally sourced produce. For a purchase to be reimbursable within the program, it simply must meet Colorado Food Program meal patterns and receipt requirements. Meal patterns describe combinations of food items that make up a meal or snack and that together meet certain nutrition standards. Receipts from food purchases should follow the templates provided by CDPHE, which is the state agency that oversees the program in Colorado. 

Colorado Farm to Child Guide

The Colorado Farm to Child Guide provides a wealth of information, including:

  • Farm to Child Program Overview
  • Exploring gardening with young children
  • Procuring local foods for the child and adult care food program
  • Engaging families, staff, and communities

The Colorado Farm to Child Guide is available in several languages:

Local Food for Little Eaters

Michigan State University’s “Local Food for Little Eaters” publication is designed to help early childhood programs purchase local food with step-by-step instructions.

Federal funding to enhance access to local foods and farm to ECE

The Food Research & Action Center’s 2022 report, “Enhancing Young Children’s Access to Local Foods and Farm to ECE: Federal Funding Opportunities,” provides more information on federal funding sources.

For your consideration

Consider participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and its associated Double Up Food Bucks program. Also consider participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, which is commonly called WIC, and the associated WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). 

The USDA FNS Contact List can help you identify the appropriate state agency contacts for each nutrition program.

Free meal delivery

Family, Friend, and Neighbor care sites (FFNs) may be eligible to receive free meal delivery services from organizations like Colorado Food Cluster and Bondadosa. These organizations can bring nutritious meals directly to your doorstep. 

Food preparation and storage assistance

Family resource centers (FRCs) are community-based organizations that offer services to local families. They may have kitchens you can use to prep and store food. FRCs may also offer their own food delivery services. Find a local FRC through the Family Resource Center Association to connect you with local producers and provide options for cold storage and food preparation.

Early childhood councils

The Colorado State Legislature established early childhood councils to improve the networks of services offered to young children throughout the state. Find your local Early Childhood Council through the Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance. 

Continued learning

Continue to learn about purchasing local food by attending webinars and trainings, such as those offered through Nourish Colorado’s Local Procurement Colorado (LoProCO) initiative. 

Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) Support Networks

Find a Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Support Network near you by checking the list compiled by CDPHE.

Step 6: Know state and local regulations

As you prepare to serve locally grown food to the children in your care, make sure that you are meeting state and local regulations for child care facilities. 

Figuring out what those regulations are might seem overwhelming, but the staff at CDPHE and other state regulatory agencies want to help you meet requirements that protect children’s safety and health. There are flexibilities that take into account your situation, so it’s helpful to speak with state departmental staff about your concerns.

Colorado Farm to Child Guide to Regulations for Child Care Providers

The Colorado Farm to Child Guide to Regulations for Child Care Providers is a helpful resource to discover more information about regulations for child care programs, which will depend on the type of program you offer. For example, an unlicensed in-home Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) program may not need to meet the same requirements as a licensed child care center. 

County rules and regulations may vary

Rules and regulations also vary by county. Reach out to your local public health agency to ask about details that might affect child care providers in your county.

Step 7: Meet with producers, partners, or schools

Now that you’re ready to get local produce, you can build the relationships you’ll need to make it happen. Each of the purchasing methods described in Step 4 will look a bit different. Some methods may not require meeting with or calling anybody: you could, for example, head to a nearby grocery store and look for items with the Colorado Proud logo. 

To acquire local produce through other methods, however, you can reach out to others in the Farm to Child space and schedule a meeting to discuss opportunities. This could be speaking directly with a producer to find out what products are available and negotiate an agreement, calling up a local food hub to ask what support they can offer a child care provider, or contacting the Child Nutrition Director or main administrative office of a nearby school to ask if they partner with smaller child care sites. 

There are many possibilities, and you can make Farm to Child work for you however you like. No matter who you’re meeting with, coming prepared will ensure the conversation goes smoothly.

Ask producers, food hub staff, food bank staff, or school staff to bring these to the meeting:
Consider what else you might be interested in:
  • Tours of or field trips to the farm
  • Lessons at the school
  • Recipe ideas
Come prepared to discuss:
  • Delivery logistics
    • time of day
    • frequency
    • location
  • Ordering process
    • contact information
    • lead time
    • order minimums
  • Minimum order requirements
  • Payment methods and receipts (which should be Colorado Food Program/CACFP-compliant)
  • Packaging and processing needs
  • Food preparation needs
  • Communication protocol
    • points of contact
    • preferred methods
    • times of communication
       

Ask ECE staff to bring these to the meeting:
  • Current cycle menu
  • Future cycle menu
  • Proposed farmer/producer pricing list
  • Food preparation needs (including quantities
    per week)
Consider what else you might be interested in:
  • Tours of or field trips to the farm
  • Lessons at the school
  • Recipe ideas
Come prepared to discuss:
  • Delivery logistics
    • time of day
    • frequency
    • location
  • Ordering process
    • contact information
    • lead time
    • order minimums
  • Minimum order requirements
  • Payment methods and receipts (which should be Colorado Food Program/CACFP-compliant)
  • Receipts for split orders
  • Staff time to organize orders for each site
  • Communication protocol
    • points of contact
    • preferred methods
    • times of communication

Step 8: Celebrate your success!

Congratulations on nourishing young children and supporting your local economy by buying Farm to ECE! 

Share your successes

Tell us about the successes you’ve had by completing the Farm to Child Success Story Survey.

Continue to learn and explore

We encourage you to continue to reference these webpages and explore all the roles you can play in Farm to Child efforts.