Local Food in Connecticut
Local Food In Connecticut
Local Farms for Connecticut Communities
Chartwells K12 works closely with local farmers to bring fresh produce straight from farms to our schools. We buy whole crops and flash freeze local fruits and vegetables so we can serve them in school year-round. We also source local wholesome ingredients like honey, milk, cheese and beef, which allows us to introduce fresh new foods and flavors to our school menus.
We continue to nurture partnerships directly with local farms while maximizing volume and variety by working with Connecticut’s top family-owned produce distributor. This ensures local, seasonal produce and ingredients are the first choice when planning our menus. Your on-site team will utilize locally focused order guides, forecasting tools and planning calendars to bring farm-fresh goodness to your cafeterias.
Generally defined, local is a 250-mile radius and regional is within 400 miles. We can customize this designation to your preference.
Chartwells continues to nurture partnerships directly with local farms while maximizing volume and variety by working with Texas’ top family-owned produce distributor. This ensures local, seasonal produce and ingredients are the first choice when planning our menus. Your on-site team will utilize locally focused order guides, forecasting tools and planning calendars to bring farm-fresh goodness to your cafeterias.
Generally defined, local is a 250-mile radius and regional is within 400 miles. We can customize this designation to your preference.
Connecticut Local Farms
Chartwells K12 is deeply committed to strengthening the communities we serve, and supporting local Connecticut farmers is a big part of that promise. We partner with local growers across the state to bring fresh, Texas-grown products into your schools and ensure your district can confidently meet Buy American requirements.
When we work together, your students benefit from fresh ingredients, your community benefits from stronger local partnerships and our Texas farmers benefit from reliable district support.
Chartwells districts purchase more than 76% of produce and dairy products from local farms.
1. Granby
Griffin Farmstead
Goat Cheese
2. Suffield
Northern Valley Farms
Corn
3. Enfield
Raffia Farms
Fall Squashes
4. Somers
Pell Farm
Raspberries, Strawberries
5. Eastford
Buell’s Orchards
Apples, Pears, Apple Cider, Candy and Caramel Apples.
6. Storrs
Mountain Dairy
Cream, Milk
7. East Windsor
White Eagle Farm
Bell Peppers
8. New Hartford
Gresczyk Farms
Tomatoes, Potatoes, Baby Potatoes, Baby Lettuces
9. Windsor
Browns Harvest
Fall Squashes, Pumpkins,
Indian Corn, Hay Bales,
Corn Stalks, Mums
10. South Windsor
Bordua Farm
Corn, Squash, Pumpkins Foster Farm
Corn, Squash, Pumpkin
Dzen Farms
Blueberries, Strawberries, Pumpkins
Baggott Family Farms
Green Squash, Yellow Squash, Corn, Peppers, Beans, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Tomatoes
Windsor Farms
Plum Tomatoes, Native Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Eggplant, Corn
11. Manchester
Botticello Farms
Assorted Vegetables
12. East Hartford
Burnham Farms
Handpicked Native Corn, Peppers, Tomatoes
13. Burlington
Lamothe’s Sugar House
Honey, Maple Syrup
14. Bantam
Vibrant Farms
Lettuce, Scallions, Kale, Carrots, Chard, Beets, Celery, Garlic, Onions, Cabbage, Raddicio, Frisse
15. Bethlehem
March Farms
Tomatoes, Corn
16. Woodbury
The Farm
Pumpkins, Gourds, Butternut, Acorn Squash
17. Southington
Rogers Orchards
Apples, Pears, Apricots, Nectarines, Peaches, Plums Karabin Farm
Assorted fruits & vegetables
18. Rocky Hill
Fair Weather Acres
Green Beans, Assorted Vegetables
19. South Glastonbury
Horton Farm
Tomatoes, Butternut,
Acorn Squash
Belltown Hill Orchard
Berries, Assorted Fruits, Preserves, Syrup
Bussa Orchards
Apples, Pears, Peaches, Plums
20. Meriden
High Hills Orchard
Apples, Blueberries,
Pears, Peaches
21. Cheshire
Zentek Farms
Strawberries, Cabbage,
Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant,
Bell Peppers, Squash, Pumpkins, Tomatoes
22. Middlefield
Lyman Orchards
Apples, Berries, Peaches
23. Wallingford
Blue Hills Orchard
Apples, Pears, Apricots, Nectarines, Peaches, Plums
24. Hamden
Liuzzi Cheese
Cheese
25. Northford
Cecarelli’s Harrison Hill Farm Cabbage, Corn, Eggplant, Lettuce, Bell Peppers,
Peppers, Squash, Tomatoes
J. DeFrancesco & Son
Cucumbers, Eggplant,
Bell Peppers, Peppers,
Squash, Tomatoes
26. Guilford
H20 Farms
Hyrdo Butter Lettuce, Hydro Red Butter Lettuce
27. Gales Ferry
Holmberg Orchards
Apples, Pears, Peaches, Tomatoes
28. Preston
Lopresti Farms
Squash, Tomatoes, Corn, Peppers, Hot Peppers
Maple Lane Farms
Currant
29. Norwalk
High Ridge Hydroponics
Micro Greens
Farm to School Education
With the largest team of registered dietitians in the industry, Chartwells K12 is uniquely qualified to build on Farm to School best practices, adding nutrition education learning experiences in our cafeterias and classrooms. Local produce is incorporated into recipes that we sample at pop-up tasting events for Discovery Kitchen, Global Eats and Mood Boost. Each of these student engagement programs includes an education focus and a side of fun. Students learn:
- Where their food comes from
- Sustainability best practices
- The growing cycle of fruits and vegetables, from seed to cafeteria tray
- How different foods can affect your mood
- Which local ingredients create culturally relevant flavors
IT DOESN’T GET ANY MORE LOCAL THAN THIS
Farmers Market
On-site farmers markets can help shape the way students select healthy foods outside of school. Students practice their math skills and learn about nutrition and financial transactions. These events can be held in outdoor tents set up to emulate traditional farmers markets or we can set up in a large indoor space with tables, baskets and farm decor. Chartwells K12 coordinates with local farms to supply the market with produce, and students are able to shop using play money, or “Veggie Bucks,” and bags to take home fresh vegetables and recipes. Our managers will be on hand to facilitate the fun and bring nutrition lessons to life. It’s a great event for kids, staff and the school community!