Farm-Fresh Flavor Hits Maricopa Unified Schools with Local Produce Partnership

Maricopa and Desert Sunrise High Schools are set to enhance their lunch offerings as they welcome fresh, locally grown produce in the upcoming school year. The Maricopa Unified School District (MUSD) secured approval from the school board last week to initiate bidding for these local ingredients, aimed at benefiting students at Maricopa High and Desert Wind Middle School.

“We’ll have more access to produce that’s grown in Arizona,” stated Jason Woods, the MUSD Child Nutrition Director. He added that this new approach will also provide specialty items typically absent from cafeteria menus. Creative options may include prickly pears for breakfast, blood oranges for lunch, and micro green basil for salads.

Currently, the district has been sourcing all food products from Shamrock Foods. However, with this new initiative, they have enlisted two additional vendors specializing in Arizona-grown ingredients. According to Woods, sourcing locally not only benefits students but also minimizes the carbon footprint associated with transporting food from distant locations.

“If we’re getting things from Arizona, we’re not pulling things from Mexico or New York,” Woods emphasized, highlighting the advantages of local sourcing. He is aware that establishing formal contracts and partnerships with local vendors is crucial for this initiative’s success.

Woods, who has a background in fine dining, is optimistic about the financial implications of diversifying suppliers. He cited the potential for cost savings without compromising the quality of food provided to students. “There’s going to be a savings,” he remarked, suggesting that grant opportunities could further offset costs in the long run.

The USDA recently awarded $75.4 million to various programs aimed at improving school nutrition, which aligns with MUSD’s goals. Woods is currently seeking partnerships with local farms to expand their produce options. He encourages local farmers interested in collaborating to reach out to the district. “If there are any farmers out here that have produce they’d be willing to partner with, we’d love to hear from them,” he said.

For more information, interested parties can contact the Maricopa Child Nutrition Department at 520-568-5100 or via email at [email protected]