January 2019
Farm Fresh Spotlight Story
Micro-Purchase Threshold increasing to $10,000 for Child Nutrition Programs in Texas
 
As of January 1, 2019, contracting entities (CEs) may apply a micro-purchase threshold of $10,000. This new threshold is only relevant to CEs that do not have lower local restrictions.

Micro-purchases can be used to support local purchasing and special events!

What is a micro-purchase?:  Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive quotations if the price is considered to be reasonable.
Purchases must be equitably distributed among qualified suppliers. For example, a CE must not make all purchase from one source. Rather, the CE must make purchases from all qualified sources equally.

Routine purchases must not be broken into smaller purchase amounts in order to qualify for micro-purchasing. If the CE is routinely using the micro-purchase method for the same items, the CE must maintain documentation that demonstrates why this is the most suitable method for purchasing these products and why another procurement method is not possible.

For more information on this change see the following manuals:



SFSP: Chapter 6 - Procurement and Bid Procedures from TDA's SFSP Supplemental Handbook


Farm to School Spotlight
Farm Fresh Fridays
Farm to School Spotlight

Now Available! Farm Fresh Initiative Survey Gathers Valuable Insight from National School Lunch Program Participants


The Texas Department of Agriculture is currently collecting information regarding participation in the Farm Fresh Initiative, also known as Farm to School in Texas.

Your response is important for the development of new resources and training . The data you report will be used in the following ways:
  • To report on statewide participation in the Farm Fresh Initiative
  • To update the map of Farm Fresh Projects
  • To evaluate barriers to participation
  • To develop new resources and training to better serve school districts in the state
Thank you for your time. The deadline to complete the survey is  March 18, 2019.

Complete the survey

Farm to Child Care Spotlight
Farm to Child Care Spotlight

Eat Local. Teach Local. Be Social. 
 
 

Take the Farm Fresh Challenge! The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is bringing the Farm Fresh Challenge to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) statewide, this March! Challenge participants will earn recognition for efforts to increase the number of Texas products served and offer hands-on educational activities centered on local foods and Texas agriculture! The challenge also includes promoting Farm Fresh efforts using social media.

Visit  Squaremeals.org/FarmFreshChallengeCACFP to learn more and pledge participation today! #FarmFreshTexas #TexasAgricultureMatters


Producer Spotlight
Producer Spotlight

TDA Community Nutrition Conference Will Include Farm Fresh Network Expo

What:
Community Nutrition Conference Expo

When:
February 12, 2019
Where:
Georgetown, Texas

Registration deadline 1/7/19


Upcoming Event:

Soil Health Short Course Offers Interactive Workshop to Land Managers

Where: Palestine Civic Center, Palestine, Texas

When: February 26-27, 2019

What: Workshop will offer attendees a greater understanding of dynamic soil properties including water infiltration, water holding capacity, and organic matter content. Producer's practical approaches to implementing a Soil Health Management System on their farm will also be discussed.
Early bird registration is $50 until February 15, 2019. Registration is $75 after that.

Register here

Contact TDA
Emilee Case
Coordinator for Farm Fresh Projects

Beatrice Watson
Farm Fresh Specialist

Email us or call
 (877) TEX-MEAL
Connect with Others
Texas Statewide Network
This LinkedIn Group is an online network connecting schools, child and adult care centers, producers, support organizations and community members with important information about expanding local food efforts in Texas.
 
Join Today!

Texas Farm Fresh Network
Use this tool to connect with Texas food companies that currently sell or are interested in selling to schools, child care centers and summer meal programs. Company listings include contact information, product availability and distribution radius.
Funding Opportunities
Financial support from organizations may help establish or advance local Farm Fresh initiatives.
 
Go here  for a list of opportunities from TDA, USDA and other organizations.



TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
COMMISSIONER SID MILLER


P.O. Box 12847 | Austin, Texas 78711
Toll free: (877) TEX-MEAL | For the hearing impaired: (800) 735-2989 (TTY) 


This product was funded by USDA. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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