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  • August 2011 Issue
  • Story by Richard Lehnert

    • Buy local gets a boost

    New government rules allow buyers—such as school districts—to state local preference when letting food bids.

    Many growers have children in school and have been frustrated that their taxes have been paying for apples from competitors for school lunch programs. The “buy local” movement got a shot in the arm this spring when the U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented a new rule allowing some buyers—especially schools—to specify local foods when seeking bids. They can even pay a premium for local foods—and still qualify for free food or federal reimbursement under the School Lunch Program and other feeding programs. Previously, buyers who procured food through big distributors were unable to state a geographic preference when letting bids. […]

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    Apples, Legal & Regulatory, Trade, Marketing, International, Richard Lehnert
    Picture of Richard Lehnert
    Richard Lehnert
    After growing up on a Michigan dairy farm, Richard Lehnert began writing about farming in 1962, while still a junior studying journalism at Michigan State University. He worked at newspapers for a year before joining the staff of Michigan Farmer, where he spent 26 years, the last 15 as chief editor. He was a member of the staff of Good Fruit Grower from 2010 until 2015. Read his stories: Story Index
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