30% NYS Initiative: Opportunities, Barriers, and Pathways to Success

This webinar provides an overview of the 30% NYS Initiative: Opportunities, Barriers, and Pathways to Success report, which is an analysis of procurement data from 53 of the 57 school food authorities (SFAs) that qualified for the 30% NYS Initiative during the 2019-20 school year. In addition to analyzing procurement data, the research team surveyed successful SFAs to understand how they altered their diversions and use of entitlement funds, in preparation for the 2019-20 school year and barriers to purchasing local food, by commodity group. A combined analysis of the 30% procurement data and the survey results shed light on procurement trends, varying pathways, best practices, and strategic approaches to successfully achieving the 30% NYS Initiative. In addition to the report findings, presenters will provide a brief overview of the NY 30% Eligible Product Database. Presenters include Cheryl Bilinski, Cassandra Bull, and Becky O’Connor, of Cornell Cooperative Extension.