DIRECT PURCHASING

Just Food's Direct Purchasing program provides assistance to organizations serving low-income communities that are interested in purchasing locally grown food to serve in congregate meal programs or to distribute to clients in food pantry bags.

A fair price for fair labor
In order to ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their labor, the vegetables purchased from a local farm may be more expensive than vegetables purchased through a wholesale distributor.  However, in many cases the vegetables will be fresher and of higher quality than vegetables purchased from a wholesale distributor.  Often additional vegetable varieties and specialty items will be available.

Does my organization qualify?

Just Food works with organizations that are:

• Serving low income communities
• Located in NYC
• Have funding available to purchase vegetables from a local farm

Examples include: emergency food providers (food pantries and soup kitchens), charities, mental health facilities/clubhouses, and rehabilitation centers

If your organization is interested in establishing a direct buying relationship with a local farm, please contact Abby Youngblood, the Fresh Food for All Program Coordinator at abby@justfood.org or by phone at 212-645-9880 ext. 227.

To learn more about the direct purchasing arrangements Just Food helped set up in 2009, click here.

Interested in setting up a direct purchasing relationship with a local farm?  Click here to learn more.

Want to set up a direct purchasing relationship and not from NYC?  Our Local Produce Link Toolkit provides valuable information about connecting local farmers with organizations providing food to low income communities.  While the toolkit is focused on our Local Produce Link program, much of the information would also be valuable to organizations looking to set up direct purchasing relationships.

Are you a farmer and looking to market your vegetables in NYC? Click here to learn about the different possibilities Just Food provides.