Co-ops to Kids: Food Service, General
Commodity Food Fact Sheet Database
Provides links to the online commodity fact sheets database for all Food Distribution Programs. Includes: description of the USDA product, suggested uses, preparation and storage tips, nutrition information (calories, cholesterol levels, fat, sodium, etc.)
School Nutrition Association (formerly American School Food Service Association)
Many practical resources for school food service staff, including very low-cost continuing education at “Child Nutrition U,” an online “Ask a Nutritionist“ feature, administration/regulation information, recipe database and much more. Fully operational to SNA members, many features open to nonmembers as well.
Food Co-op Case Discounts
Food cooperatives are member-owned food stores where anyone can shop. They offer discounts on case amounts of hard-to-find healthful foods and ingredients including fresh local produce; whole grains, such as brown rice; whole-wheat pasta; and whole-wheat flour. To locate your nearest food co-op, you can search by clicking here.
Cooking Whole Grains
A cooking guide and recipes from the Whole Grains Council website, along with an A to Z guide describing the varieties of whole grains are available. Also, the Hanover and Lebanon Co-op Food Stores have a free brochure on whole grains preparation called “Bulk Grains.”
Black River Produce, Inc., Proctorsville, VT
Wholesale distributor– $50 minimum order. Offers fresh fruits and vegetables, also chopped and prewashed. They offer as much locally grown produce as possible and also organic produce. Contact: Joanna, Sales Department Manager, phone (800) 228-5481.
Paul Hoffman, Hanover and Lebanon Co-op Food Stores’ Assistant Merchandising Director, is available to advise school food service directors on additional resources for improving meal offerings. Phone (603) 640-6569 or send him an email.
Wholesalers of larger amounts of whole grains, whole grain flours, healthful foods:
United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), Chesterfield, NH, is the leading independent national distributor of natural foods and related products including organic produce. Minimum order requirement: $500, ordered at least once monthly. Delivery sites must be accessible by tractor-trailer and have flexible delivery hours. Contact Lee Anne Nopper, Foodservice Key Account Manager, phone (800) 451-2525 ext. 42245
Associated Buyers, Barrington, NH, is an independently owned natural and specialty food distributor. They have a wide range of bulk, packaged, refrigerated, and frozen options.Minimum order $300. Contact: Lynn Lagasse, phone (800) 639-2081
Stonyfield Farm’s Do-it-Yourself Vending Machine Makeover Guide
Stonyfield Farm’s Do-it-Yourself Vending Machine Makeover Guide offers step by step guidance to healthier vending machine snacks for students. This website provides the tools you need to successfully transform your vending machines into a healthier option! Website:
Celebrate Cooperatives
A co-op is an organization owned by, and operated for, the people who use its services. And this year the United Nations is putting cooperatives all over the world in the spotlight.
