The new measures make it easier for schools to purchase local food, while also supporting agriculture, the food manufacturing industry in Massachusetts, and students.
Ontario, California, October 19th / PRNewswire / -- The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education ( DESE ) Food Distribution Program and Gold Star Foods today announced the launch of two new local food programs in Massachusetts, which will bring locally sourced and produced products into the meal delivery programs of schools throughout the state.
These programs will be open to participating schools starting from October this year, representing an innovative local procurement approach: the state government will simplify the procurement and distribution processes on behalf of school districts, while creating new market opportunities for farmers and food manufacturers in Massachusetts.
Through the DESE food distribution program in Massachusetts, the state government coordinates procurement and delivery services to help schools obtain local products through a simplified process. This not only reduces administrative burdens but also strengthens the connection between schools and food producers in Massachusetts.
"Massachusetts is committed to creating innovative solutions to increase the accessibility of local food in school meal programs," said Lucinda Ward, the Food Distribution Coordinator for DESE USDA in Massachusetts. "By coordinating procurement and distribution services at the state level, we are making it easier for schools to purchase local products, while also creating meaningful opportunities for businesses and agricultural producers in Massachusetts."
Bringing Massachusetts agriculture into school cafeterias
The first initiative will launch Ocean Spray ® Craisins ® made from cranberries harvested in Massachusetts. This project directly connects one of the most representative agricultural products of the state to school meal programs, giving students the opportunity to enjoy food from their own region.
The second initiative involves collaboration with a manufacturer from Massachusetts, Commonwealth Kitchen, to process diced tomatoes directly distributed by the United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) into value-added products designed for school meal programs. This project will offer two types of sauces, Marinara Sauce and Tikka Masala Sauce, which not only increase the menu options for schools but also enhance the added value of USDA foods through local processing.
These two initiatives jointly demonstrate how strategic cooperation can connect local agriculture, food manufacturing, distribution, and school nutrition programs in a way that benefits all stakeholders.
New model of local procurement
Although school districts often view procurement requirements, limited procurement capabilities, and supply chain challenges as obstacles to local procurement, the Massachusetts model has addressed these issues by coordinating procurement, execution, and distribution activities through the state's food distribution program.
This approach establishes a seamless supply chain that enables:
"Successful local procurement requires the collaboration of the entire supply chain," said Gold Star Foods, Chief Government Affairs Officer of Stephanie Ewing. "Massachusetts has developed a practical and scalable approach to connect schools, state agencies, manufacturers, distributors, and agricultural producers. As a result, this initiative makes it easier for schools to purchase local products, while also bringing meaningful economic benefits to businesses in Massachusetts."
Strengthening the connection between schools and the local food system
These new projects are in line with Massachusetts' ongoing commitment to supporting local agriculture and to strengthening the "From Farm to School" initiative throughout the state.
By establishing efficient supply chains, local products are made available in school cafeterias. This initiative demonstrates how public-private collaboration can help schools provide high-quality meals, support the local economy, and increase students' access to food that is grown and produced locally.
The Massachusetts DESE food distribution project, along with Gold Star Foods, is expected to continue collaborating with local suppliers and school nutrition professionals in order to find more opportunities for expanding local procurement initiatives in the future.
For more information about Gold Star Foods, please visit www.GoldStarFoods.com.
Media Contact
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Jason Law
[ email protected ]
617-895-6556
Gold Star Foods
Stephanie Ewing
Chief Government Affairs Officer
[ email protected ]
530-295-7055
About the Food Distribution Program of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Food Distribution Program supports nutrition programs in schools across the state by managing USDA food and providing resources, helping schools to provide nutritious meals for students.
About Gold Star Foods
Gold Star Foods is a leading provider of food distribution and supply chain solutions for school nutrition programs in the United States. By collaborating with state agencies, school districts, manufacturers, and agricultural producers, Gold Star Foods helps schools obtain innovative and high-quality food solutions to support student success.
Regarding Highview Capital, LLC
Highview Capital and LLC is a global private equity investment firm, backed by a family office with a scale of several billion dollars. The fund adopts flexible investment authorization and takes a long-term perspective on medium-sized market enterprises at turning points. Since 2017, Highview has completed more than 40 equity investments in industries such as business services, manufacturing, and distribution. Highview takes pride in being able to work closely with founders and management teams over the long term. For more information, please visit www.highviewcapital.com.
About A& M Capital
A& M Capital is a multi-strategy private equity investment firm that manages a total committed capital of over $6 billion across its funds, vehicles, and accounts. The firm is led by an experienced investment team and maintains a strategic partnership with A& M Consulting, a leading global consulting firm focused on operations.
A& M Capital Partners is an investment strategy of A& M Capital that focuses on controlling transactions in the mid-sized market in North America, with a total committed capital of over $4 billion for the three funds. AMCP collaborates with founders, families, businesses, and management teams to provide the capital, as well as strategic and operational support, that they believe is necessary to drive companies towards greater success. AMCP invests in various industries including business services, healthcare services, government services, industrial services, financial services, packaging and distribution services, among others. For more information, please visit www.a-mcapital.com.
