Virginia Dept. of Education connects schools with regional food hubs through pilot program

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is partnering with regional food hubs, like the Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD), to provide fresh, locally-produced food items to schools. The Centralized Local Procurement Pilot Program is designed to help schools avoid supply chain disruptions and strengthen regional food systems.

Officials say more than 70 regional schools were identified as eligible to participate based on their proximity to ASD’s hub in Duffield, Virginia. The program will allow participating school nutrition programs to order unprocessed food items for their breakfast, lunch, and summer meals. This pilot program will be underway later this month.

(Image: VDOE)