New Jersey Farm to School Procurement Initiative

Schools must purchase unprocessed/minimally processed foods direct from a farmer/producer or through a food distributor.

For more information on program requirement - Click Here

Below is a resource list of food distributors, familiar with the NJ Farm to School Procurement funding, that can provide delivered unprocessed/minimally processed NJ products: 

Food Distributor Resource List

Schools may also use the following resource to identify local farms by county. Farms included in this directory have requested to be listed and are interested in working with schools for direct purchasing:

Local Farm Directory 

NJ local unprocessed and minimally processed foods available for order. This list reflects products shared by food aggregators and farmers. This list is meant to support your purchase efforts, not replace them. School Districts may purchase NJ grown/raised at their own discretion, as long as it meets program requirements. 

NJ Local Foods Available for Order 

*The resource list will be updated throughout the duration of the grant. If you are a farmer interested in selling to schools, please reach out by email to NewJerseyF2S@ag.nj.gov and request to be added to our local farm directory. 

Reference sheet for procurement

Federal Funds Procurement Method Selection Chart

Reference sheet for Food Service Management Companies with Fixed Price contract 

Fixed Price Reference Sheet 

HOW TO GET REIMBURSED

• Sign each invoice/receipt
  • Invoice must include name of farm & state origin, school district name & agency number
• Convert invoices to PDF
• Email to: NJDAF2SPI@ag.nj.gov

Submitting multiple invoices:

• Complete a Cover Sheet
• Combine all documents into one PDF
• Email to: NJDAF2SPI@ag.nj.gov

IMPORTANT DEADLINE: MAY 15, 2026

Fund Reallocation

Notify us by May 15, 2026, if your funding needs have changed:

• Need less funding? Report any funds you do not expect to use by June 30, 2026
• Need more funding? Request additional funds (up to $10,000 total), based on availability
• No response? We will assume you will use your full award amount

Submit requests to: NJDAF2SPI@ag.nj.gov

Subject Line: Fund Adjustment Request

Include:

• School Food Authority Name & Agency Number
• Current Award Amount
• Requested increase or decrease
• Authorized Representative Name, Title, and Signature (electronic accepted)

KEY REMINDERS

• All purchases must be made by June 30, 2026
• Submit invoices promptly
• Purchases must be:
  • Local
  • Whole, unprocessed, or minimally processed
  • Aligned with your attestation agreement

QUESTIONS

Email: NJDAF2SPI@ag.nj.gov

Do I need the farm/producer on the receipt?     

answer: Yes, your receipt/purchase order should specify what farm/producer the item came from. Please write your RA# and school district on the receipt/purchase order with your signature.

What if I use a food distributor who procures from multiple farmers?

answer: The vendors on our resource list have agreed to list the farms in which the food has been sourced on your invoice and/or catalog. 

Will every invoice be reviewed?                                                                                                   

answer: Yes, each invoice will be reviewed to verify the funds have been used correctly. Invoices should be uploaded as a PDF & emailed to NJDAF2SPI@ag.nj.gov

Can an invoice be rejected?                                                                                                     

answer: Yes, if an invoice does not meet the parameters of the funding the reimbursement will be denied.

Does the receipt need to be itemized?                                                                                     

answer: Yes, if purchasing from a small business that does not produce itemized receipts you can provide them a purchase order to complete.

What account will the grant funding be deposited into?                                                   

answer: The non-profit food service account. Schools should keep a separate accounting of the NJ Farm to School Procurement Initiative funds.

Where does the revenue get posted? 

answer: The funds will be recorded to either the school districts' Federal Breakfast or School Lunch depending on how the funds were used.  

If we accept the funding and do not use it, is there a penalty?                                              

answer: No, there is no penalty for not using the funding.

Do procurement rules apply?                                                                                                        

answer: Yes, *the funding may follow the informal and/or small purchase quotation procedures. Federal Funds Procurement Method Selection Chart

Where can we purchase unprocessed/minimally processed foods?                                          

SFA's can purchase minimally processed foods direct from a farmer/producer or food distributor. 

Find Jersey Fresh
Find Jersey Fresh is the search engine hosted by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture that allows you to find growers and distributors of wholesale New Jersey produce. You can search by business name, county or item. Please always call the business before visiting.

NJ Farm Bureau Directory of New Jersey Produce Growers
This directory of produce growers is searchable by produce name, town, farm name and county.

Visit NJ Farms
Search this database for farm activities, farmers markets, nursery/greenhouse, and pick-your-own.