1

Produce Safety

Purchasing

2

Objectives

At the end of this training session, participants wil be able to:1. Identify differences among produce vendor

options.2. Understand types of liability insurance.3. Describe purchasing specifications for fresh

produce that result in obtaining the desired product.

3

Vendor Options

• Broadline Distributor• Produce Distributor• Produce Cooperative• Direct from Farm• School Garden

…..or a combination

4

Distributors and Produce Distributors

• Provide variety and year-round availability• Require food safety practices of supplier(s) • Maintain internal food safety program• Consider or already purchase local produce

5

Produce Cooperatives• May offer greater variety from multiple farms• Reduced paperwork through streamlined

ordering and receiving • Evaluate food safety practices from all sources• Commingling may occur

6

Direct From Farm

• Buy with the seasons• Develop flexible menus with creative recipes• Advertised menus are subject to change

7

Direct From Farm• Things to consider:– Communicate/negotiate pricing and payment terms– Multiple orders, deliveries, and invoices

• Document Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)• Farm visit

8

Liability Insurance

• Food product liability• General farm liability

9

Formal and Informal Purchasing“A good procurement is a competitive procurement”— this goes for local purchases, too

• Write clear and detailed specifications to:–Clarify what you want–Provide consistency from supplier to supplier

• Provide estimated amount to be purchased

10

Specifications

Bid specification: Apples

11

SpecificationsBid specification: Apples

Price per case: $15.00

12

Specifications

Bid specification:

Apples, include name of variety here, 40 lb. case, 125 count, quantity to be

purchased during bid period: 200 cases

13

SpecificationsBid specification:

Apples, include name of variety here, 40 lb. case, 125 count, quantity to be

purchased during bid period: 200 cases

Price per case: $13.00

14

Specifications

Bid specification:

Apples, McIntosh, 40 lb. case, 125 count, U.S. Extra Fancy

or U.S. Fancy only, quantity to be purchased during bid period: 200

15

Specifications

U.S. Extra Fancy- $26.00 U.S. Fancy- $23.00

16

Specifications

17

Specifications

U.S. No. 1$21.00

U.S. Fancy$29.00

U.S. Extra Fancy$33.00 per case

18

After the Purchase

• Receive or reject• Inspect the delivery vehicle• Take and record temperatures• Safely store, handle, and serve

19

Other Bid Considerations• Climate controlled trucks for delivery• GAP/GHP certification of sources• Vendor HACCP plan• Definition of local• Identify number of days from harvest to

delivery• Product traceability documentation

20

Traceability

Farm

CO-OPS Distributor

School

Produce Distributor

21

Traceability

Farm

CO-OPS Distributor

School School garden

Produce Distributor

Processor Shipper

22

Traceability Best Practices for School Foodservice Operations• Purchasing records• Receiving and storing (avoid commingling)• Documenting service of fresh produce• Tracking internal distribution• Conducting mock recalls

23

Activity and Discussion