External Food Providers

A school may decide to use a third-party food provider, who produces food off-site and either delivers to the school or is ready for pick-up.

External food providers can include local restaurants, cafes, and delis, catering companies or local food hubs or non-profits. Smaller communities and rural schools may benefit from inquiring at their local restaurants or grocery stores.

These providers should follow the same nutrition suggestions as other cooked-from-scratch programs and aim to offer:

• a Vegetables & Fruits choice
• a Grains choice and;
• a Protein choice at each meal

For more nutrition suggestions to share with providers, including ideas of foods to serve frequently, see General Nutrition Information.

See Vending Machines and School Stores to learn how external food providers and schools can use the % Daily Value, found on the Nutrition Facts table of food products,  to offer more nutritious options.

When choosing external food providers, consider if they:

• Have meals that use ingredients that are locally sourced and produced.
• Provide opportunities for student, parent and school feedback.
• Have an easy ordering system in place.